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 tremendous
advances 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 containing
Gurmar booti (Gymnema sylvestre), Gilo (Tinospora cordifolia) and Jamun (Syzygium cumini) in the management of Diabetes
Mellitus Type 2 (DMT2). It was a randomised controlled clinical study conducted on 60 participants of DMT2 inadequately
controlled by diet and exercise. The test drug was given to group-A participants (n=30) 6 g twice daily orally for 12 weeks and
the 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 blood
glucose (PPBG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in Test and Control groups at the end of the study in comparison to
baseline was significant (p<0.05). This study concludes that the test drug was effective in reducing FBG and PPBG significantly
in diabetic participants’ at 12 weeks of treatment.