Effect of Artemisia dracunculus Administration on Glycemic Control, Insulin Sensitivity, and Insulin Secretion in Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance

To evaluate the effect of Artemisia dracunculus on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in 24 patients with diagnosis of IGT. Before and after the intervention, glucose and insulin levels were measured every 30min for 2h after a 75-g dextrose load, along with glycated hemoglobin A1c (A1C) and lipid profile. Twelve patients received A. dracunculus (1000mg) before breakfast and dinner for 90 days; the remaining 12 patients received placebo. Area under the curve (AUC) of glucose and insulin, total insulin secretion, first phase of insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity were calculated. Wilcoxon signed-rank, Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests were used for statistical analyses. The institutional ethics committee approved the protocol. After A. dracunculus administration, there were significant decreases in systolic blood pressure (SBP; 120.0 +/- 11.3 vs. 113.0 +/- 11.2mmHg, P<.05), A1C (5.8 +/- 0.3 vs. 5.6%+/- 0.4%, P<.05), AUC of insulin (56,136.0 +/- 27,426.0 vs. 44,472.0 +/- 23,370.0 pmol/L, P<.05), and total insulin secretion (0.45 +/- 0.23 vs. 0.35 +/- 0.18, P<.05), with a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (1.3 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.4 +/- 0.3 mmol/L, P<.05). There were no significant differences after placebo administration. A. dracunculus administration for 90 days in patients with IGT significantly decreased SBP, A1C, AUC of insulin, and total insulin secretion with a significant increase in HDL-C levels.