Jiaogulan tea and extracts lowered blood glucose in type 2 diabetes in placebo-controlled studies
In studies in people with type 2 diabetes, tea and leaf extracts of Gynostemma pentaphyllum lowered fasting and long-term glucose more than placebo; no blood-pressure effect was seen.
Recent expert overviews have examined the constituents of Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum), a climbing plant of the gourd family, and the scientific evidence for its health effects, according to ad-hoc-news.de. In studies in people with type 2 diabetes, both tea preparations and leaf extracts lowered fasting blood glucose, long-term blood glucose and insulin resistance more than placebos without active ingredient ad-hoc-news.de
ad-hoc-news.dead-hoc-news.deOpen source ↗. The plant has long been part of East Asian tradition and is used there as a leaf infusion or as standardized extract.
Composition and use of Gynostemma pentaphyllum
Jiaogulan differs fundamentally from classic tea plants. Black and green tea come from Camellia sinensis, whereas Jiaogulan is a herbaceous climber. Its pharmacologically most significant constituents are considered to be gypenosides, plant saponins whose chemical structure closely resembles that of the ginsenosides in true ginseng.
The infusion is described as slightly sweet, vegetal and grassy, often with notes reminiscent of licorice or mint. When brewed intensively, foam forms on the surface, which is attributed to the natural concentration of saponins. The plant contains no caffeine.
Metabolic effects and tolerability
Human studies focus mainly on metabolic effects, with evidence for blood glucose, blood lipids and body weight ad-hoc-news.de
ad-hoc-news.dead-hoc-news.deOpen source ↗. In overweight participants, body weight and body fat percentage decreased more under extracts than under placebo. There are also indications of favorable effects in fatty liver and altered liver values, as well as first data on the cardiovascular system.
Raw material supplier Ningbo Inno Pharmchem advertises Gynostemma leaves for tea products, stating that the gypenosides are meant to support healthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure. However, specific studies with Jiaogulan tea in untreated type 2 diabetics showed no measurable difference in blood pressure compared with placebo tea.
In placebo-controlled studies, no serious adverse events occurred. A documented case report, however, described a platelet deficiency after several months of intake. Specialists therefore advise regular medical checks of platelet counts during prolonged use.
