Gymnema sylvestre

Gymnema sylvestre is a climbing plant that is native to India and Africa. The leaves of the plant are used to make medicine. Gymnema sylvestre has a long history of use in the field of Indian Ayurvedic medicine. The Hindi name Gurmar means "destroyer of sugar".

Today, Gymnema sylvestre is used to treat coughs, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as well as to support weight loss. Gymnema sylvestre is also used against malaria, as an antidote to snake bites, to stimulate digestion, as a laxative, as an appetite suppressant and as a diuretic.

How does Gymnema sylvestre work?

Gymnema s ylvestre contains substances that reduce the absorption of sugar in the intestine. Gymnema sylvestre may also increase insulin secretion and increase the growth of pancreatic cells in which insulin is produced in the body.

How effective is Gymnema sylvestre?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of Gymnema sylvestre for the following conditions:

• Diabetes: New research suggests that taking a specific Gymnema sylvestre extract (GS4) orally in combination with insulin or diabetes medication may enhance the reduction of blood glucose levels in people suffering from type 1 and 2 diabetes.
• Weight loss: New research suggests that oral intake of a specific combination containing Gymnema sylvestre extract, hydroxycitric acid and niacin-bound chromium for 8 weeks may reduce body weight in overweight and obese people.

There is also insufficient scientific information on the effectiveness of Gymnema sylvestre for malaria, cough, snoring and metabolic syndrome, as well as its use as a digestive stimulant, laxative and urinary stimulant. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Gymnema sylvestre in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Gymnemasylvestre is safe and harmless when used in appropriate amounts for up to 20 months.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the safety of Gymnema sylvestre during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Gymnema sylvestre to be on the safe side.

Diabetes: Gymnema sylvestre can affect blood sugar levels in diabetics. Therefore, diabetics using Gymnema sylvestre should watch out for signs of low blood sugar levels and carefully monitor their blood sugar levels.

Operations: Gymnema sylvestre could affect blood glucose levels and there are therefore concerns that Gymnema sylvestre could affect blood glucose control during and after surgery. For this reason, Gymnema sylvestre should be discontinued two weeks before an operation.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining Gymnema sylvestre with the following medications:

Insulin

Gymnemasylvestre could lower blood sugar. Insulin is also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking Gymnema sylvestre in combination with insulin could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood glucose levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Diabetes medication

Gymnema sylvestre could lower blood sugar. Diabetes medication is also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking Gymnema sylvestre in combination with diabetes medication could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood glucose levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of Gymnema sylvestre depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for Gymnema sylvestre. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

1. Preuss, H. G., Garis, R. I., Bramble, J. D., Bagchi, D., Bagchi, M., Rao, C. V., and Satyanarayana, S. Efficacy of a novel calcium/potassium salt of (-)-hydroxycitric acid in weight control. Int.J Clin.Pharmacol.Res. 2005;25(3):133-144. view abstract.
2. Wang LF, Luo H, Miyoshi M, and et al. Inhibitory effect of gymnemic acid on intestinal absorption of oleic acid in rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1998;76:1017-1023.
3. Ananthan R, Baskar C, NarmathaBai V, et al. Antidiabetic effect of Gymnema montanum leaves: effect on lipid peroxidation induced oxidative stress in experimental diabetes. Pharmacol Res 2003;48:551-6. View abstract.
4. Baskaran K, Kizar Ahamath B, Radha Shanmugasundaram K, Shanmugasundaram ER. Antidiabetic effect of leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;30:295-300. view abstract.
5. Head KA. Type 1 diabetes: prevention of the disease and its complications. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 1998;180:72-84.
6. Katsukawa H, Imoto T, Ninomiya Y. Induction of salivary gurmarin-binding proteins in rats fed gymnema-containing diets. Chem Senses 1999;24:387-92. view abstract.
7. Luo H, Kashiwagi A, Shibahara T, Yamada K. Decreased bodyweight without rebound and regulated lipoprotein metabolism by gymnemate in genetic multifactor syndrome animal. Mol Cell Biochem 2007;299:93-8. view abstract.
8. Persaud SJ, Al-Majed H, Raman A, Jones PM. Gymnema sylvestre stimulates insulin release in vitro by increased membrane permeability. J Endocrinol 1999;163:207-12. view abstract.
9. Satdive RK, Abhilash P, Fulzele DP. Antimicrobial activity of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract. Fitoterapia 2003;74:699-701. view abstract.
10. Shanmugasundaram ER, Rajeswari G, Baskaran K, et al. Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;30:281-94. view abstract.
11. Sinsheimer JE, Subba-Rao G, McIlhenny HM. Constitents from G sylvestre leaves: isolation and preliminary characterization of the gymnemic acids. J Pharmacol Sci 1970;59:622-8.
12. Yeh GY, Eisenberg DM, Kaptchuk TJ, Phillips RS. Systematic review of herbs and dietary supplements for glycemic control in diabetes. Diabetes Care 2003;26:1277-94. view abstract.