Summary

Medicinal herbs are important sources of pharmaceutical manufacturing and capturing a significant percentage of the pharmaceutical market. WHO recognized the importance of medicinal plants in the health care system. Gymnema lactiferum is a leave vegetable and widely used herbal supplement for the control of diabetes in Sri Lanka. It is a major component of Siddha and Ayurvedic Drugs used to treat the diabetes mellitus and it has a wider reach in the local market in Sri Lanka and is also exported as a herbal tea and dried powder preparations. No studies are done so far on “efficacy, effectiveness and safety" in patients with diabetes mellitus, using a scientifically valid protocol. This clinical trial aims to report the above said aspects of Gymnema lactiferum. The study will generate knowledge and could pave the way for the recognition of the herbal product as a herbal drug or as a supplement to the western medicine. It could lead to a combination therapy along with western medicines, or the dosage of western medicines could be reduced for better management of patients with diabetes. The results of the research will be useful for the Ayurveda department and public. If the findings comply with WHO‟s policy on herbal medicines, Gymnema lactiferum can reach the global market. Public awareness programs will be conducted and followed up with a comprehensive study on other health benefits. Provided the findings are encouraging, the research team will start public education programs to encourage Gymnema lactiferum garden in every household.

Objectives

determine the supplement effect of Cherukurinja (Gymnema lactiferum) Herbal tea on glycemic control among Type II Diabetes Mellitus patients and on selected biochemical and physiological parameters 

Specific objective
1) To determine the supplement effect of Cherukurinja (Gymnema lactiferum) on glycemic control in type II diabetic patients.

2) To determine the supplement effect of Cherukurinja(Gymnema lactiferum) on selected biochemical and physiological parameters of type II diabetic patients

i) Blood pressure
ii) Body weight
iii) Lipid profile
iv) Liver function
v) Renal function

Major Equipment Facilitated by Grant