Evaluation of efficacy and safety of a polyherbal Unani formulation in diabetes mellitus type 2 (Zayābīṭus Sukkari Qism Sāni) - a randomised controlled clinical study

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (Zayābīṭus Sukkari Qism Sāni) is a major health concern in 21st century. Despite tremendousadvances in modern sciences, there is a lack of relatively safe and effective drug for its management.The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a polyherbal Unani formulation containingGurmar booti (Gymnema sylvestre), Gilo (Tinospora cordifolia) and Jamun (Syzygium cumini) in the management of DiabetesMellitus Type 2 (DMT2). It was a randomised controlled clinical study conducted on 60 participants of DMT2 inadequatelycontrolled by diet and exercise. The test drug was given to group-A participants (n=30) 6 g twice daily orally for 12 weeks andthe standard drug metformin (500 mg) was given twice daily orally to group-B participants (n=30).It was observed that the difference between the Mean (± SD) value of fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial bloodglucose (PPBG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in Test and Control groups at the end of the study in comparison tobaseline was significant (p<0.05). This study concludes that the test drug was effective in reducing FBG and PPBG significantlyin diabetic participants’ at 12 weeks of treatment.