Blood Glucose-lowering Effect ofT. procumbensL.: A Pilot Clinical Study in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Traditional knowledge, in vitro studies, and studies using animal models suggest that Tridax procumbens L. exhibits blood glucose-lowering properties and antiinflammatory effects. In this study, we evaluated the blood glucose-lowering effect of T. procumbens supplementation in individuals with type 2 diabetes. An extract (asava) of T. procumbens L. was prepared following Ayurveda guidelines. Chemical and microbial analyses indicated presence of phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids, and absence of microbial contamination, aflatoxins, heavy metals, and pesticide residues. A chemical fingerprint of T. procumbens L. asava, developed using Ultra high pressure liquid chromatography/electron spray ionization-mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-MS) in negative mode, suggest the presence of several compounds including polyphenols. T. procumbens asava demonstrated strong total antioxidant capacity, Fe reducing potential, Fe chelation, H O scavenging activity, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. We recruited 20 type 2 diabetic individuals from Kolhapur, India. Participants received 15 mL of T. procumbens asava, twice daily, for 4 weeks, while continuing their prescribed antidiabetic medications. Fasting blood glucose decreased by 11% in men (p < 0.01) and 20% in women (p < 0.05), and post-prandial blood glucose concentrations were lowered by 26% in men (p < 0.001) and 29% in women (p < 0.001) following 4 weeks of asava supplementation. No adverse events or side effects were reported. This is the first clinical study demonstrating a significant blood glucose-lowering effect of T. procumbens asava in type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Medicinal plants used in the traditional management of diabetes and its sequelae in Central America: A review

“…Animal studies showed that extracts of the leaves and of the whole plant have anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidaemic activity (Bhagwat et al, 2008;Pareek et al, 2009;Petchi et al, 2013). A pilot 4-week clinical study revealed that when administered to individuals with type 2 diabetes, an extract of the whole plant of T. procumbens (containing carotenoids, flavonoids and other phenolics) lowered blood glucose with no serious adverse effects reported (Desai et al, 2015). We also found a report of its use to treat kidney disease in El Salvador (Gonzalez-Ayala, 1994).…”

A comparative analysis of in vitro antioxidant potential of crude extracts of Tridax procumbens L. in different solvents and in vitro hypoglycemic potential of its hydro-alcoholic extract

“…Hence, systematic and intensive search in medicinal plants for new drugs to treat Type 2 diabetes mellitus seem to be of great utility. Plants have been the major source of drugs in Indian system of medicine and other ancient systems in the world (2,3). The present study aims to study the comparative efficacy of hydroalcoholic, aqueous and petroleum ether extracts of Tridax procumbens (Compositae) as antioxidants for the utilization in the treatment of diabetes.…”

A Mini Review on Some Known Medicinal Uses of Tridax procumbens

“…[ A study carried out by Desai et al 40 was aimed at evaluating the lowering effects on blood glucose concentration resulting from the administration of Tridax procumbens in patients with Type 2 diabetes. The extracts contained phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids, according to a chemical examination.…”