Effect of Tinospora cordifolia as an add - on therapy on the blood glucose levels of patients with Type 2 diabetes.

ABSTRACT

Background: Type 2 diabetes is a fast growing epidemic affecting people globally. Good glycemic control helps in reducing the risk of macro and microvascular complications in diabetics. Alternative medicines have been used since ancient times in India to achieve good glycemic control. Tinospora cordifolia (Tc) is a well reported plant possessing anti-diabetic property. Therefore, we undertook this study to evaluate the effectivity of Tc in reducing the blood glucose levels of Type 2 diabetic patients in the form of add-on therapy. Methods: In the present study, we enrolled 100 Type 2 diabetic patients who met our inclusion criteria. These patients were then randomly divided into two Groups, A and B. Patients in Group A were treated as controls and they continued with their anti-diabetic medications. In Group B, Tc was added to the conventional treatment at a dose of 500 mg 3 times daily along with meals. The fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were recorded baseline and after 6 months. Results: During the course of study, we observed a decrease in the fasting, postprandial, and HbA1c levels of the patients. However, this decrease was found to be more statistically significant (p≤0.005) in Group B. Conclusion: The results obtained from the present study conclude that Tc, when given in the form of add-on therapy, was found to be synergistic and effective in the better management of Type 2 diabetes. The drug was well tolerated by the patients and no adverse drug event was recorded.