What is Gymnema?

Gymnema May Affect Insulin Secretion

A laboratory study suggests that a patented extract of the gymnema plant (Gymnema sylvestre) may stimulate insulin secretion. Native to India, gymnema is used in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian) medicine to treat diabetes.

Researchers tested an extract of gymnema leaves in vitro on mouse and human beta cells, which are the pancreatic cells that secrete insulin. The extract stimulated insulin secretion in the cells without compromising their viability. The authors stated that previous research had raised questions about whether the insulin-stimulating effects of gymnema might entail damage to the beta cells themselves.

Preliminary studies in humans suggest that long-term use of gymnema may be helpful in The authors also suggested that if the insulin-stimulating effect of the gymnema extract were to occur in vivo, it would likely result in a reduction in blood sugar levels.

managing blood sugar levels in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as an adjunct to conventional drug therapy. There is also preliminary human evidence suggesting that gymnema may lower cholesterol levels. However, high-quality human trials are lacking for both of these applications.

For more information about gymnema, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Gymnema is one of the seven ingredients contained in DEPSYL.

References
1.Liu B, Asare-Anane H, Al-Romaiyan A, et al. Characterisation of the insulinotropic activity of an aqueous extract of Gymnema sylvestre in mouse beta-cells and human islets of Langerhans. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2009;23(1-3):125-32. Epub 2009 Feb 18. View Abstract
2.Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. http://www.naturalstandard.com/

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