Thymoquinone with Metformin Decreases Fasting, Post Prandial Glucose, and HbA1c in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Objective Antihyperglycemic activity of Thymoquinone (TQ) was evaluated in diabetic mouse model and patients. Methods TQ (50 mg/kg) was orally administered daily for 21 days in combination with metformin in diabetic mice and a reduction on blood glucose level was monitored. In human, a 90-day randomized study was carried out in 60 Type 2 Diabetes mellitus patients to evaluate safety and efficacy of TQ administration with metformin in a 3-arm study. Patients in arm 1 (T1) received 1 tablet of metformin SR 1000 mg and 1 tablet of TQ 50 mg once daily. The second arm (T2) patients received 1 tablet of metformin SR 1000 mg and 2 tablets of TQ 50 mg once daily. Patients in arm 3 (R) received 1 tablet of metformin SR 1000 mg only. Results The diabetic mice treated with combination of TQ and metformin showed significant decrease in blood sugar compared to those treated with only metformin. In patients who completed the study, the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values in T1, T2 and R decreased after 3 months from 7.2, 7.2 and 7.3 to 6.7, 6.8, and 7.1, respectively. A greater reduction in Fasting Blood Glucose and Post Prandial Blood Glucose was also observed in T1 and T2 arms compared to R. Conclusion At dose levels of 50 and 100 mg of TQ combined with a daily dose of 1000 mg Metformin demonstrated a reduction in the levels of HbA1c and blood glucose compared to the standard treatment of diabetic patients with metformin alone.

Antidiabetic Activity of Nigella Sativa (Black Seeds) and Its Active Constituent (Thymoquinone): A Review of Human and Experimental Animal Studies

“…Synergistic antidiabetic activity of metformin (1000 mg /day) was observed by the addition of 1 or 2 tablets of Thymoquinone 50 mg daily for 90 days in 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, through further reduction in the levels of HbA1c and blood glucose. 56 Moreover, an experimental animal study using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats determined that thymoquinone improves the antidiabetic activity of metformin synergistically through its antioxidant properties (decreased malondialdehyde [MDA] and augmented total antioxidant capacity [TAC]). 57 Hence, the patients taking this combination should be monitored for the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.…”

Nigella sativa L. and Its Active Compound Thymoquinone in the Clinical Management of Diabetes: A Systematic Review

“…Eight studies were double-blinded and two studies [ 30 , 31 ] were single-blinded. Eleven studies were placebo-controlled, 4 studies used active control: metformin [ 32 , 33 ], received conservative management for diabetic nephropathy [ 34 ], atorvastatin + metformin [ 29 ], while 2 studies were non-controlled [ 28 , 35 ].…”

“…Studies were carried out in Iran ( n = 7), Egypt ( n = 2), Saudi Arabia ( n = 2), Pakistan ( n = 2), India ( n = 2), and Indonesia ( n = 1). All studies were done on adults ≥18 years with the majority up to 60 years with the exception of three studies up to 63 years [ 36 ] and 64 years [ 32 , 37 ]. The number of participants analysed ranged from 40 [ 38 ] to 99 [ 31 ].…”

“…All studies were conducted on the seeds except one study which tested the compound TQ [ 32 ]. Only 1 study reported the full information on botanical material including identification of voucher specimen [ 27 ].…”

Nigella sativa L. Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities: A Review (2019–2021)

“…For those who completed the study a decrease in glycated hemoglobin was observed after three months. A greater reduction in fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose was also observed in both groups compared with the control group [ 100 ]. The study of the inhibitory activity of a hydroalcoholic combination (70%) of Morinda citrifolia , Trigonella foenum-graecum , and NS on pancreatic α-amylase showed that this combination at different doses was able to inhibit the activity of the enzyme.…”