Summary of Research Findings

Diabetes Research
1. Title
Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic and General Beneficial Effects of an Herbal Mixture MA-471
Publication
Alternative Therapies in Clinical Practice, Vol. 3, No. 5, pp. 26-31, September/October 1996.
Authors
Amulya R. Sircar, MD,* Ramesh C. Ahuja, MD,* Shankar M. Natu, PhD,* Birendra Roy, MBBS,* and
Hari M. Sharma, MD, FRCPC.**
Conducted at
**K.G. Medical College, Lucknow, India
**The Ohio State University, College of Medicine, Columbus, OH
Summary
An herbal mixture used for thousands of years in India for treatment of diabetes was evaluated for its
efficacy and safety in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). This herbal mixture,
MA-471 (Glucomap), was developed by Maharishi Ayur-Veda Products (Noida, India) and showed very
good results in preliminary trials. In the present pilot study, a clinical trial was conducted in which patients
were divided into three groups: Group A (15 cases) were patients who had never taken an anti-diabetic
drug and were uncontrolled by diet and exercise; Group B (30 cases) were patients controlled by an oral
hypoglycemic agent (OHA); and Group C (15 cases) were patients uncontrolled by the maximum dose of
an OHA. All patients were started on MA-471 tablets after initial evaluation and blood collection, and were
called for follow-up every two weeks for blood collection and observation of the improvement or deterioration
of various symptoms. The mean fasting and postprandial blood glucose, and hemoglobin A 1 C
showed a significant decrease from the initial values in all three groups of patients. “Good” and “acceptable”
control was achieved in 68.3% of the patients.
MA-471 seemed to be more effective in patients who had diabetes of less than five years duration.
MA-471 also resulted in a significant fall in serum total cholesterol and triglycerides, and resulted in marked
improvement in polyuria, fatigue, and constipation. This pilot study shows the herbal mixture MA-471 has
significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties, and also improves the quality of life of NIDDM
patients.
(See charts on next two pages.
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