Postprandial glucose-lowering effects of fermented red ginseng in subjects with impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundRed ginseng is prepared by steaming raw ginseng, a process believed to increase the pharmacological efficacy. Further bioconversion of red ginseng through fermentation is known to increase its intestinal absorption and bioactivity, and bioconversion diminishes the toxicity of red ginseng’s metabolite. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of daily supplementation with fermented red ginseng (FRG) on glycemic status in subjects with impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis study was a four-week long, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Forty-two subjects with impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to two groups assigned to consume either the placebo or fermented red ginseng (FRG) three times per day for four weeks. Fasting and postprandial glucose profiles during meal tolerance tests were assessed before and after the intervention.ResultsFRG supplementation led to a significant reduction in postprandial glucose levels and led to an increase in postprandial insulin levels compared to the placebo group. There was a consistently significant improvement in the glucose area under the curve (AUC) in the FRG group. However, fasting glucose, insulin, and lipid profiles were not different from the placebo group.ConclusionDaily supplementation with FRG lowered postprandial glucose levels in subjects with impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01826409

Effects of alpha‐cyclodextrin on cholesterol control and Compound K on glycaemic control in people with pre‐diabetes: Protocol for a Phase III randomized controlled trial

“…In this study, there were improvements in fasting and 1 hour post‐prandial glucose levels but not 2‐hour levels in those receiving the active product. These anti‐glycaemic effects were supported by a second randomized controlled trial conducted over 4 weeks in 42 participants with elevated fasting glucose levels, using red ginseng fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum, a process also found to increase the amount of Compound K in ginseng. In this randomized controlled trial, fasting glucose was significantly reduced from baseline in those taking fermented red ginseng.…”

“…In this randomized controlled trial, fasting glucose was significantly reduced from baseline in those taking fermented red ginseng. Post‐prandial glucose and area under the curve for glucose were significantly reduced, and post‐prandial insulin was significantly increased compared to placebo after a 2‐hour oral glucose tolerance test …”

“…Fermented ginseng products have only recently been trialled in people with pre‐diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Two of these trials, conducted in Korea over 4 to 8 weeks with 23 to 42 participants, reported improvements in fasting glucose and post‐prandial glucose in participants taking fermented ginseng products compared to the control groups …”

“…Two of these trials, conducted in Korea over 4 to 8 weeks with 23 to 42 participants, reported improvements in fasting glucose and post-prandial glucose in participants taking fermented ginseng products compared to the control groups. 23,24 Based on the properties of alpha-cyclodextrin and fermented ginseng, a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was designed and is being run at the University of Sydney to investigate the effects of these two products in people with pre-diabetes and overweight or obesity. This trial, using a large sample size, aims to determine the efficacy of FBCx (a fibre formula based on alpha-cyclodextrin) for lipid control and the efficacy of GINST15 (a formula containing hydrolysed ginseng extract) for glycaemic control.…”

Supercritical carbon dioxide fractionation improves the antioxidative activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and therapeutic index of <em>Panax ginseng</em>

“…The root of Panax ginseng is a widely used traditional Asian medicine due to the scientific claims of its antioxidative, 1,2 cardiovascular protective, [3][4][5] immune regulatory, 6 antidiabetic, [7][8][9] and anticarcinogenic 10,11 properties. The major pharmacological ingredients of ginseng are triterpene saponins called ginsenosides, which are a family of triterpenoids (17 carbons in a four-ring structure) with various sugar moieties attached to the C-3 and C-20 positions.…”