Assessment of Combined Administration of Hypoglycemic Agents and Herbal Extracts (<i>Pyeongwi-san</i> or <i>HyangsaPyongwi-san</i>) on Blood Glucose Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Abstract: This retrospective study delved into the effects and safety considerations associated with the concomitant usage of hypoglycemic agents and herbal extracts, specifically <i>Pyeongwi-san</i> (PWS) or <i>HyangsaPyongwi-san</i> (HSPWS) in the context of type 2 diabetes mellitus management.Methods: The investigation involved 38 inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received PWS or HSPWS treatment at Kyung Hee University Korean Medical Hospital from January 2012 to December 2022. By investigating clinical attributes and conducting laboratory assessments, this study aimed to discern the impact of these herbal extracts on blood glucose levels, encompassing fasting blood sugar (FBS) and mean 2-hour postprandial glucose (PP2) levels. Furthermore, the safety profile of the herbal extracts was assessed by comparing liver function indicators, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alongside kidney function markers, such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr).Results: Following the administration of the herbal extracts, no statistically significant alterations in FBS and mean PP2 levels emerged compared to the baseline levels. Notably, the safety evaluation revealed no significant differences in liver and kidney function parameters following herbal extract administration.Conclusion: The results of this research indicate that using PWS or HSPWS alongside hypoglycemic medications could be a beneficial additional method for addressing digestive symptoms in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Notably, this combination seems to have no negative interactions with other drugs.