GINSENG THERAPY IN NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETIC-PATIENTS - EFFECTS ON PSYCHOPHYSICAL PERFORMANCE, GLUCOSE HOMEOSTASIS, SERUM LIPIDS, SERUM AMINOTERMINALPROPEPTIDE CONCENTRATION, AND BODY-WEIGHT

OBJECTIVE - To investigate the effect of ginseng on newly diagnosed noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - In this double-blind placebo-controlled study, 36 NIDDM patients were treated for 8 weeks with ginseng (100 or 200 mg) or placebo. Efficacy was evaluated with psychophysical tests and measurements of glucose balance, serum lipids, aminoterminalpropeptide (PIIINP) concentration, and body weight. RESULTS - Ginseng therapy elevated mood, improved psychophysical performance, and reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weight. The 200-mg dose of ginseng improved glycated hemoglobin, serum PIIINP, and physical activity. Placebo reduced body weight and altered the serum lipid profile but did not alter FBG. CONCLUSIONS - Ginseng may be a useful therapeutic adjunct in the management of NIDDM.