American ginseng extract (Panax quinquefolius l.) ameliorates glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients

The objective of the present study was to test the efficacy and safety of supplementation with the selected American ginseng extract (AG) as an adjunct to their usual anti-diabetic therapy (diet and/or medications), using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel design. Each participant received either the selected AG preparation (ethanol extract) or placebo (500 mg/meal = 3 g/day) for a period of 12 weeks. Outcomes included measures of efficacy (glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)-primary, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), and HOMA-IR) ; safety (liver and kidney function) ; and compliance (returned capsules and body-weight). Seventy-four participants with well-controlled type 2 diabetes (sex: 28 M: 46 F, age: 62, 9±9, 49, BMI: 32±5, 3, HbA1c: 7±1, 3), randomized to either intervention (n= 35) or control (n=39) group, completed the study. There was no change in the primary endpoint, HbA1c. However, decrease in HbA1c following AG intervention was significantly correlated to baseline glycemic control assessed by HbA1c (P=0.008). Subgroup analysis of poorly controlled T2DM patients (HbA1c> 7, 5%) demonstrated significant reductions in HbA1c following AG consumption compared to well controlled participants (HbA1c≤ 7, 5%). Safety and compliance outcomes remained unchanged. Although clinical efficacy, as assessed by HbA1c, was not demonstrated, 12 weeks of supplementation with the selected AG treatment demonstrated significant reductions in HbA1c in people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes without adverse effects.