Metabolic and Therapeutic Effects of American and Korean Red Ginseng in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study is a 2 phase double blind randomized placebo control trial. The objective is to asses the metabolic and therapeutic effects of American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) extract and Korean Red Ginseng (steamed Panax C.A. Meyer) extract in the management of type 2 diabetes in a 12 week period. One Hundred and twenty subjects with type 2 diabetes (hyperglycemia key inclusion criteria: HbAlc≥6.5% - ≤ 8.1% ) will participate in the study (36 men and 36 post-menopausal women).

Official Title
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Long Term Metabolic and Therapeutic Effects of Combined Treatment of American Ginseng (Panax Quinquefolius L.) Extract and Korean Red Ginseng (Steamed Panax C.A. Meyer) Extract in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Conditions
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Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) and Korean Red Ginseng (steamed Panax C.A. Meyer)
* Dietary Supplement: American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.)
* Dietary Supplement: Wheat Bran


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: presence of type 2 diabetes (at least 1 year) as defined by A1c between ≥6.5% and ≤8.1%, at recruitment, treatment with diet or oral hypoglycemic medication be unchanged starting at least 2 months prior to the beginning of the study (at recruitment, week -8) between the age of 40 and 75 years systolic blood pressure <140 and diastolic blood pressure <90 clinically euthyroid (measuring T3 and T4) normal renal and liver functions post-menopausal or non-pregnant women (Post-menopausal includes: those females with more than a year of cessation of menstruation) a negative result on a pregnancy test administered at screening subjects taking an effective form of birth control (example: condom, abstinence, etc.) willing to comply with the study protocol and sign a consent form Exclusion Criteria: individuals with bleeding disorders individuals with allergies to nitroglycerin planned surgery, pregnancy or breastfeeding taking insulin; clinically significant diabetes complications (retinopathy, nephropathy, or neuropathy); serum triglycerides ≥ 4.5 mmol/L increased A1c level of more than 2% from baseline during the study history of angina or heart attack use of ginseng or any natural health products with glucose modulating and/or anti-platelet activity within 2 months BMI > 35 kg/m2 including a weight fluctuation of + 2kg during treatment periods smoke cigarettes; alcohol intake > 2 drinks/day the presence of any conditions which, in the opinion of the investigator, might jeopardize the health and safety of the subject or study personnel or adversely affect the study results, if the subject participated in the study Subjects taking Warfarin or Coumadin, prescription NSAIDs, chronic use of high-dose (>81mg) non-prescription NSAIDs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or sympathomimetics or medications affecting nitric oxide levels, or any known or suspected sensitivity to any of the ingredients in the test product or placebo cannot participate in the study.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1<br>American Ginseng and American Red Ginseng Capsules | Dietary Supplement: American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) and Korean Red Ginseng (steamed Panax C.A. Meyer)<br>* 1.5 grams American Ginseng and 1.5 grams Korean Red Ginseng are to be taken in capsulated form. Two capsules are taken with every meal, for a total of 6 capsules per day for 12 weeks<br>|
| Experimental: 2<br>American Ginseng Capsules | Dietary Supplement: American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.)<br>* 3 grams of American Ginseng is to be taken in capsulated form. Two capsules are taken with every meal, for a total of 6 capsules per day for 12 weeks<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: 3<br>Placebo Capsules | Dietary Supplement: Wheat Bran<br>* 3 grams of Wheat Bran is to be taken in capsulated form. Two capsules are taken with every meal, for a total of 6 capsules per day for 12 weeks<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HbA1c levels and insulin sensitivity index using 3 different indices: ISI, HOMA, QUICKI |  | Weeks -4, 0, 6, 12 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting & post-prandial blood glucose and insulin, C-reactive protein, lipid peroxidation, blood pressure, endothelial function, body fat composition |  | Weeks -4, 0, 6, 12 |