Randomized controlled trial of Sajabalssuk (Artemisia princeps Pampanini) to treat pre-diabetes

Introduction: Alternative complementary therapy with medicinal herbs may help restore normal fasting glycemia in pre-diabetes and therefore delay or prevent T2D. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of Sajabalssuk (Artemisia princeps Pampanini) extract to improve fasting glycemia in pre-diabetes. Methodology: Ninety-nine subjects with pre-diabetes (100 mg/dL < impaired fasting glucose < 125 mg/dL) were randomly assigned into placebo (starch, 2000 mg/day), positive-control (pinitol, 1140 mg/day), and SBE (Sajabalssuk extract 3000 mg/day) groups for 9 weeks. Primary outcomes were fasting blood glucose and HbA1c. Secondary outcomes were insulin resistance, plasma lipid profile and body composition. Dietary intake was also analyzed, and safety was assessed with plasma liver toxicology markers. Results: Nine weeks of SBE treatment significantly lowered fasting blood glucose (-16.51 +/- 2.78%, p < 0.05) compared placebo or positive-control, effectively restoring normal fasting glycemia. Furthermore, SBE treatment significantly reduced HbA1c (-7.81 +/- 3.39%, p < 0.05) and insulin resistance (-14.71 +/- 20.37%, p < 0.05) compared to placebo or positive-control treatment. In addition, SBE treatment improved non-HDL-cholesterol (-11.57 +/- 3.94%, p < 0.05) and HDL-cholesterol (10.90 +/- 4.35%, p < 0.05) compared to placebo and positive-control. However, SBE treatment had no effect on other secondary outcomes including atherogenic biomarkers, blood pressure and body composition. Finally, plasma liver toxicology markers were unaltered by SBE treatment. Conclusions: Pre-diabetes treatment with the medicinal herb Sajabalssuk (3000 mg/day) for 9 weeks can improve fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and reduce insulin resistance. SBE treatment appears to have a secondary benefit leading to improved plasma non-HDL and HDL-cholesterol levels. In conclusion, Sajabalssuk extract may provide a useful alternative therapy for management of pre-diabetes. (C) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.