Effect of Thunbergia laurifolia Herbal Tea on Glucose Homeostasis in Healthy Volunteers: A Single-Arm Phase I Study.

Lukana Preechasuk,Pravit Akarasereenont,Busadee Pratumvinit,Ranida Boonrak,Onusa Thamsermsang,Nuntakorn Thongtang

doi:10.1155/2020/3212546

Lukana Preechasuk, Pravit Akarasereenont + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3212546

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Abstract

Background Thunbergia laurifolia (TL) is a commonly used herbal medicine in Thailand and in other Asian countries. TL has been approved as a Thai traditional medicine for detoxifying poisons, and the list of possible adverse effects includes hypoglycemia. TL showed hypoglycemic effect in animals possibly due to antioxidant effect and beta-cell preservation. However, the safety of TL herbal tea and its effects on glucose homeostasis have never been investigated in humans. Methods Twenty healthy volunteers (10 men and 10 women) drank TL herbal tea 3 times/day for 2 weeks. Ten subjects took TL herbal tea 9 grams daily. After the safety of TL herbal tea was established, 10 more subjects took TL 12 grams daily. Clinical and biochemical tests were assessed at baseline and at 2 weeks. Results Mean age was 34.9 ± 10.2 years, and mean body mass index was 27.5 ± 5.8 kg/m2. Baseline and posttreatment plasma concentrations were as follows: fasting plasma glucose (89 ± 6 vs. 89 ± 7 mg/dL), fructosamine (213 ± 32 vs. 212 ± 33 μmol/L), fasting insulin (8.8 [IQR: 5.9–18.4] vs. 10.4 [IQR: 7.4–15.2] μU/mL), HOMA-B (101.6 [IQR: 82.3–189.8] vs. 120.4 [IQR: 93.2–153.2]), and HOMA-IR (1.1 [IQR: 0.8–2.3] vs. 1.4 [IQR: 0.9–2.0]), all respectively. There were no significant changes in these parameters, including body weight, blood pressure, lipid profile, and C-reactive protein. No serious adverse events were observed during the study period. Conclusions TL herbal tea at doses of 9 and 12 grams daily had good tolerability without any significant adverse effects on fasting plasma glucose level or other glucose homeostasis parameters measured.

Highlights

Background. unbergia laurifolia (TL) is a commonly used herbal medicine in ailand and in other Asian countries
Baseline and posttreatment plasma concentrations were as follows: fasting plasma glucose (89 ± 6 vs. 89 ± 7 mg/dL), fructosamine (213 ± 32 vs. 212 ± 33 μmol/L), fasting insulin (8.8 [interquartile range (IQR): 5.9–18.4] vs. 10.4 [IQR: 7.4–15.2] μU/mL), Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA)-B (101.6 [IQR: 82.3–189.8] vs. 120.4 [IQR: 93.2–153.2]), and HOMA-insulin resistance (IR) (1.1 [IQR: 0.8–2.3] vs. 1.4 [IQR: 0.9–2.0]), all respectively. ere were no significant changes in these parameters, including body weight, blood pressure, lipid profile, and C-reactive protein
TL was sourced from contract suppliers and/or contract farmers, and its authenticity was confirmed by experts from Center of Applied ai Traditional Medicine. e raw materials were washed with deionized water and dried in a hot air oven in accordance with TL herbal tea

Summary

Introduction

Background. unbergia laurifolia (TL) is a commonly used herbal medicine in ailand and in other Asian countries. TL has been approved as a ai traditional medicine for detoxifying poisons, and the list of possible adverse effects includes hypoglycemia. The safety of TL herbal tea and its effects on glucose homeostasis have never been investigated in humans. TL herbal tea at doses of 9 and 12 grams daily had good tolerability without any significant adverse effects on fasting plasma glucose level or other glucose homeostasis parameters measured. In vitro [12] and animal studies [13, 14] demonstrated that TL has antioxidant effect and antidiabetic effect and possibly preserves beta-cell function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TL on glucose homeostasis and to assess the safety of TL use in humans

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