Application and Uses of Gymnema sylvestre and Gymnemic acid.

Gymnema and its administration.:

Gymnema sylvestre Extract CAS 1399-64-0 Gymnema Acid CAS 90045-47-9 photo picture image Dosage and Administration:

In human studies, the most common doses of gymnema sylvestre used for blood sugar control were 400 mg to 600 mg per day. Gymnema sylvestre is commonly added to many different herbal combination products, but the majority of studies used GS4, a standardized product that contains only gymnema sylvestre. Standardization by the manufacturer should assure the same amount of active ingredient in every batch of the commercial preparation. Standardization of herbal products is not required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so not every product will contain the same amounts of active ingredients. Gymnema Dosing:Typically, clinical studies investigating antidiabetic effects have used 200 or 400 mg of an extract standardized to contain 25% gymnemic acids administered twice daily.

Indications or Mechanism Note:

The important active ingredient of Gymnema sylvestre is an organic acid called gymnemic acid. The gymnemic acid is made up of molecules whose atom arrangement is similar to that of glucose molecules. The glucose-like molecules in the gymnemic acid fill the receptor locations in the absorptive external layers of the intestine, thereby preventing the intestine from absorbing the sugar molecules. The direct evidence is that sugar taste no longer sweet when took with the gymnema. Gymnema sylvestre significantly reduces the metabolic effects of sugar by preventing the intestines from absorbing the sugar molecules during the process of digestion. Because there is a change in the absorption of sugar, there is a consequent change in the blood sugar level. Also, it has been shown in clinical trials to assist regeneration of the insulin-producing Beta Cells, thus reduces prescription insulin requirements for those diabetics who actively monitor blood sugar levels.

Precautions:

Because gymnema sylvestre is known to lower levels of blood sugar, individuals who have diabetes should use it with caution. If blood sugar levels fall too low, shakiness, sweating, confusion, distorted speech, and loss of muscle control may occur. If it is not corrected, low blood sugar can lead to unconsciousness and even death.

Very little information is available on how gymnema sylvestre might affect a developing fetus, an infant, or a small child. Therefore, its use is not recommended during pregnancy, while breast-feeding, or during early childhood.

The United States Food and Drug Administration does not regulate gymnema and other herbal remedies. That means that the remedies have not proven to be effective and that ingredients are not standardized.

In addition, the safety of gymnema has not been established for use by children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and people with severe kidney and liver diseases.

Before beginning any herbal treatment, people should consult a physician or health practitioner. Consulting a medical professional is particularly important before taking gymnema because the remedy could potentially lower blood sugar too much, resulting in a hypoglycemic reaction.

It is especially important for diabetics to consult with a doctor. Gymnema should not be regarded as a substitute for other medications. If people diagnosed with Type I or Type II diabetes are taking insulin to control their blood sugar, they cannot replace the insulin with gymnema.

In addition, diabetes can go undetected for some time. It may not be diagnosed until a person goes to a doctor after experiencing symptoms such as frequent urination, dizziness, and fatigue. Diabetes must be treated medically since complications from untreated diabetes can include kidney failure, heart disease, blindness, and loss of limbs.
Gymnema sylvestre Extract CAS 1399-64-0 Gymnema Acid CAS 90045-47-9 photo picture image

Side effects:

As of June 2000, gymnema was believed to be free of side effects when taken at the recommended dosages. However, more research could reveal side effects.

Although no side effects have been attributed to the use of gymnema sylvestre, its possible lowering effect on blood sugar may potentially result in hypoglycemia (blood sugar that is too low). Signs that blood sugar may be too low include shakiness, sweating, confusion, distorted speech, and loss of muscle control. If not corrected, low blood sugar can lead to unconsciousness and even death.

Interactions:

Gymnema could interact with medications taken to reduce blood sugar levels. The herbal remedy could cause the drugs to work better, resulting in hypoglycemia.

Interaction with Prescription Drugs:Gymnema sylvestre may increase the blood sugar lowering effects of insulin and oral drugs for diabetes, such as:

Actos,Avandia,glimepiride (Amaryl),glipizide (Glucotrol XL),glyburide (Glynase),Glyset,metformin (Glucophage),Prandin,Precose

The cholesterol-lowering effects of drugs such as Crestor, lovastatin (Mevacor), Lipitor, pravastatin (Pravachol), and Zocor may be increased by taking gymnema sylvestre.

Interaction with Herbals:Because gymnema sylvestre may decrease blood sugar levels, taking it with other blood sugar-lowering herbal products may result in hypoglycemia,blood sugar that is too low. Herbals that may reduce blood sugar include:

Eleuthero,Fenugreek,Ginger (in high amounts),Kudzu,Panax ginseng
Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others.

Toxicology Study:

No adverse reactions were reported in a long-term study of insulin-dependent diabetic patients. 16 However, consider the possibility of hypoglycemia. Systolic blood pressure was raised in spontaneously hypertensive rats fed a high sucrose diet. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.

The plant has not been associated with published reports of human toxicity; however, it is possible that as few as 12 tablets of some otc preparations could cause a demonstrable hypoglycemic reaction in humans. Blood urea, uric acid, and hemoglobin levels remained in the normal range in patients receiving gymnema supplements in addition to their usual antidiabetic medication, suggesting the absence of hepato- or nephrotoxicity at normal doses. In an acute toxicity study in mice, no gross behavioral, neurologic, or autonomic effects were observed. The acute LD 50 was 3990 mg/kg. The safety ratio (LD 50 /ED 50 ) was 11 and 16 in normal and diabetic rats, respectively.

Reference:

1.Application and Uses of Gymnema sylvestre and Gymnemic acid.

This article written and edited via herbalist of MDidea Extracts Professional. They run a range of online descriptions about this herb,including general information related and summarized updating discoveries from findings of professional scientisits this field related.Describe style aimed to form a useful detecting literature space where the intertwined threshold and related questions raise out and visualize themselves.

♣ last edit date:11th,Oct.2010.