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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Therapeutic Uses of Gymnema Sylvestre

Therapeutic Uses and Benefits of Gymnema Sylvestre

Gymnema sylvestre is also called gurmar, which is a Hindi name meaning “destroyer of sugar.”

It has been used for thousands of years as a herbal treatment for diabetes. It has the ability to block the absorption of glucose from the intestines and helps to reduce cravings for sugar.

Gymnema Sylvestre

(Gymnema Sylvestre)

The reduction of sugar cravings also leads to the use of gymnema for herbal weight loss applications. Chewing the leaves, or even taking capsule form, can alter the taste of sugar when ingested and reduce the sweetness.

Gymnema sylvestre helps reduce the number of carbohydrates stored in fat stores and increases the amount burned for energy. This leads to a reduction in fat stores and increase in energy available.

It has also been suggested that this herb may reduce the amount of triglycerides and LDLs, “bad cholesterol”, in the bloodstream. This is an important step in combating cardiac problems, especially common in diabetics.

It also has a slight diuretic effect and has been used to help with water retention.

The leaves have been used to treat stomach ailments, constipation, and liver disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis and gout have also been treated effectively using gymnema sylvestre.

The leaves have also demonstrated antibacterial and antiviral properties in liquid applications.

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Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre)

Gymnema for Diabetes:

Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) is a popular herb used in the treatment of diabetes in traditional medicine. Especially in Sri Lanka, gymnema is among the most common traditional formulations for the control of diabetes. Studies have reported hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolmic, as well as triglyceride lowering effects of gymnema. These effects are attributed to the gymnemic acid content in the plant.

Gymnema is consumed as a green leafy vegetable. As a neutraceutical for diabetes, the recommended daily intake is 10 g of dry powder per day. However, the specific plant variety and the mechanics of planting are less well standardized. During the past two years, the amount of gymnema leaf powder consumed as a functional food for diabetes has increased. Reportedly, suppliers of gymnema are unable to meet increasing supply demands.

The authors of this study sought to determine best practices for growing gymnema. The gymnemic acid content in two varieties of gymnema, Colombo and Jaffna, were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the gymnemic acid pH profile was similar in the two varieties. However, the gymnemic acid content at pH 2 and 4.6 was slightly higher in the Colombo variety.
The authors sought to determine which portion of the plant contains highest levels of gymnemic acids. The results of hot water extraction of leaf or stem powder showed that the yield of leaf powder extract was higher than stem powder extract. Furthermore, the gymnemic acid content was higher in the leaf extracts.

Washing the cut stems of plants can decrease the nutrient content and thereby reduce the colonization and decay of the cut ends by microorganisms. However, many plant stems contain latex, which can interfere with propagation of plant cuttings. The results of this study suggest that the latex of cut ends interferes with propagation of gymnema. Therefore, the authors suggest washing the cut ends before planting. Also, the study indicated that green soft stems are better planting material than woody stems.

It is common to use a rooting hormone and an antifungal agent to promote the success of rooting plants. In this study, treatment with the rooting hormone (naphthyl acetic acid 0.3% w/w) promoted the rooting of cuttings of gymnema. In contrast, the use of Trichoderma sp. (a rhizosphere antifungal agent) afforded no protection and all plants in this group died early. The authors suggest that green soft stem cuttings washed with water and coated with a rooting hormone may be the best procedure to promote rooting of gymnema. With respect to the potential of gymnema in the treatment of diabetes, more studies are warranted in the extraction procedures and standardization of gymnema before conclusive clinical trials can
be performed.

American Botanical Council
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