Effect ofArtemisia dracunculusAdministration on Glycemic Control, Insulin Sensitivity, and Insulin Secretion in Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of Artemisia dracunculus on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in 24 patients with diagnosis of IGT. Before and after the intervention, glucose and insulin levels were measured every 30 min for 2 h after a 75-g dextrose load, along with glycated hemoglobin A1c (A1C) and lipid profile. Twelve patients received A. dracunculus (1000 mg) before breakfast and dinner for 90 days; the remaining 12 patients received placebo. Area under the curve (AUC) of glucose and insulin, total insulin secretion, first phase of insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity were calculated. Wilcoxon signed-rank, Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests were used for statistical analyses. The institutional ethics committee approved the protocol. After A. dracunculus administration, there were significant decreases in systolic blood pressure (SBP; 120.0 ± 11.3 vs. 113.0 ± 11.2 mmHg, P < .05), A1C (5.8 ± 0.3 vs. 5.6% ± 0.4%, P < .05), AUC of insulin (56,136.0 ± 27,426.0 vs. 44,472.0 ± 23,370.0 pmol/L, P < .05), and total insulin secretion (0.45 ± 0.23 vs. 0.35 ± 0.18, P < .05), with a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (1.3 ± 0.3 vs. 1.4 ± 0.3 mmol/L, P < .05). There were no significant differences after placebo administration. A. dracunculus administration for 90 days in patients with IGT significantly decreased SBP, A1C, AUC of insulin, and total insulin secretion with a significant increase in HDL-C levels.

Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon): A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

“…HDL cholesterol levels increased. The results of the study showed that A. dracunculus herb extracts may in future be used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance (Méndez-Del Villar et al, 2016).…”

“…It has preservative properties, so it is keenly used for pickling cabbage and cucumbers, marinating pumpkins, and for the production of tarragon mustard and herbal vinegars. It is recommended for people on a salt-free diet because it improves the taste of dishes (Kordali et al, 2005;Méndez-Del Villar et al, 2016;Çorapcı et al, 2020). It is also added to infusions, refreshing drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks such as "Tarkhun"a carbonated, non-alcoholic drink, the main ingredient of which are fresh A. dracunculus leaves.…”

“…Its antibacterial, antifungal and antiprotozoal properties have been documented, together with its extremely valuable antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antineoplastic properties (Abtahi Froushani et al, 2016;Hassanzadeh et al, 2016;Bedini et al, 2017;Navarro-Salcedo et al, 2017;Mohammadi et al, 2020). These studies have also been proven to have hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic and thyroid regulating effects (Méndez-Del Villar et al, 2016;Zarezade et al, 2018;Mohammadi et al, 2020). An antidepressant effect has also been documented (Wang et al, 2018).…”

An Overview of Herbal Products and Secondary Metabolites Used for Management of Type Two Diabetes

“…These data indicate that this PMI-5011 A. dracunculus L. extract represents a promising botanical treatment for patients with diabetes. The most recent randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT02330341) evaluating the effect of A. dracunculus on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion in patients with impaired glucose tolerance reported significantly decreased systolic blood pressure, glycated HbA1c, area under the curve of insulin, and total insulin secretion with a significant increase in HDL-C levels (Méndez-del Villar et al, 2016). …”

Inhibitory Effects of Metabolites Isolated from Artemisia dracunculus L. Against the Human Carbonic Anhydrase I (hCA I) and II (hCA II)

“…Lately, there has been a growing interest on the biological activities of tarragon essential oils, extracts and dichloromethane extract active constituents in the literature. The results of the mentioned literature were showed that tarragon has various biological activities including the improving of Candida albicans infection [6], high antioxidant capacity [7], potent antileishmanial activity [8], strong antimicrobial activity [8], modulating of the immune system [9], effects on the glycemic control, insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion [10], analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects [11], antidiarrheal activity [12], anticancer effect [13], α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities [14]. Russian tarragon and French tarragon are primary cultivars of A. dracunculus L. It is thought that the French tarragon is derived from Russian tarragon through the selection.…”