Gymnema

Gymnema/Drug Interactions:

  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: Gymnema may potentiate the effects of hypoglycemic drugs in diabetic patients (1; 19; 19). Doses of such medications may therefore need adjustment. Serum glucose levels should be monitored, and doses of concomitant hypoglycemic drugs may require adjustment under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Multiple animal studies have reported hypoglycemic effects associated with the ingestion of gymnema leaves. Gymnema reduced hyperglycemia in experimentally and spontaneously diabetic rats and rabbits (20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26), as well as in normal and diabetic humans (17; 1; 16; 19; 23).
  • Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: Reductions in levels of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) have been observed in animals following administration of gymnema (30; 31). A study of gymnema in type 2 diabetes patients reported decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels as a secondary outcome (1). Concomitant use of gymnema with other lipid lowering agents may potentiate these effects.
  • Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: Human study has investigated Gymnema sylvestre extract (GSE) 400mg in combination with other agents for obesity, although a mechanism of action is unclear (18).

    • Gymnema/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: Reductions in levels of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) have been observed in animals following administration of gymnema (30; 31). A study of gymnema in type 2 diabetes patients reported decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels as a secondary outcome (1). Concomitant use of gymnema with other lipid lowering agents may potentiate these effects.
  • Antiobesity herbs and supplementsAntiobesity herbs and supplements: Human study has investigated Gymnema sylvestre extract (GSE) 400mg in combination with other agents for obesity, although a mechanism of action is unclear (18).
  • Appetite suppressantsAppetite suppressants: Human study has investigated Gymnema sylvestre extract (GSE) 400mg in combination with other agents for obesity, although a mechanism of action is unclear (18).
  • ChromiumChromium: Human study has investigated Gymnema sylvestre extract (GSE) 400mg in combination with niacin bound chromium, although a mechanism of action is unclear (18).
  • Fat soluble vitaminsFat soluble vitamins: In an animal study, absorption of oleic acid (a fatty acid) was decreased by gymnema (32). It is unknown whether gymnema exerts these effects in humans, or affects the absorption of other nutritionally important lipids or fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K).
  • GarciniaGarcinia: Human study has investigated Gymnema sylvestre extract (GSE) 400mg in combination with hydroxycitric acid, a component of garcinia (18).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: Gymnema may potentiate the effects of hypoglycemic herbs or supplements in diabetic patients (1; 19). Doses of these agents may therefore need adjustment. Serum glucose levels should be monitored, and doses of concomitant hypoglycemic agents may require adjustment under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Multiple animal studies have reported hypoglycemic effects associated with ingestion of gymnema leaves. Gymnema reduced hyperglycemia in experimentally and spontaneously diabetic rats and rabbits (20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26), as well as in normal and diabetic humans (17; 1; 16; 19; 23).

    • Gymnema/Food Interactions:

  • Fatty foodsFatty foods: In an animal study, absorption of oleic acid (a fatty acid) was decreased by gymnema (32). It is unknown whether gymnema exerts these effects in humans, or affects the absorption of other nutritionally important lipids or fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K).

    • Gymnema/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)Blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c): Based on animal research and preliminary human data, ingestion of gymnema may cause hypoglycemia in diabetic patients and reductions over time in HbA1c levels (20; 21; 22; 24; 25; 26; 17; 1; 16; 19; 23). Hypoglycemic effects have been noted in patients without diabetes as well as in patients with diabetes (17).
  • Lipid panelLipid panel: In a small human study, patients with type 2 diabetes taking gymnema in addition to oral hypoglycemic drugs experienced reductions in cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids, while subjects taking oral hypoglycemic agents alone did not (1). Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol-lowering effects have been observed in animals (30; 31). The mechanism may by via a decrease in the synthesis or increase in the metabolism of cholesterol, or through decreased fat absorption (32).