Thymoquinone with Metformin Decreases Fasting, Post Prandial Glucose, and HbA1c in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Drug Res (Stuttg). 2021 Jul;71(6):302-306. doi: 10.1055/a-1388-5415. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Abstract

Objective: Antihyperglycemic activity of Thymoquinone (TQ) was evaluated in diabetic mouse model and patients.

Methods: TQ (50 mg/kg) was orally administered daily for 21 days in combination with metformin in diabetic mice and a reduction on blood glucose level was monitored. In human, a 90-day randomized study was carried out in 60 Type 2 Diabetes mellitus patients to evaluate safety and efficacy of TQ administration with metformin in a 3-arm study. Patients in arm 1 (T1) received 1 tablet of metformin SR 1000 mg and 1 tablet of TQ 50 mg once daily. The second arm (T2) patients received 1 tablet of metformin SR 1000 mg and 2 tablets of TQ 50 mg once daily. Patients in arm 3 (R) received 1 tablet of metformin SR 1000 mg only.

Results: The diabetic mice treated with combination of TQ and metformin showed significant decrease in blood sugar compared to those treated with only metformin. In patients who completed the study, the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values in T1, T2 and R decreased after 3 months from 7.2, 7.2 and 7.3 to 6.7, 6.8, and 7.1, respectively. A greater reduction in Fasting Blood Glucose and Post Prandial Blood Glucose was also observed in T1 and T2 arms compared to R.

Conclusion: At dose levels of 50 and 100 mg of TQ combined with a daily dose of 1000 mg Metformin demonstrated a reduction in the levels of HbA1c and blood glucose compared to the standard treatment of diabetic patients with metformin alone.

Objective: Antihyperglycemic activity of Thymoquinone (TQ) was evaluated in diabetic mouse model and patients.

Methods: TQ (50 mg/kg) was orally administered daily for 21 days in combination with metformin in diabetic mice and a reduction on blood glucose level was monitored. In human, a 90-day randomized study was carried out in 60 Type 2 Diabetes mellitus patients to evaluate safety and efficacy of TQ administration with metformin in a 3-arm study. Patients in arm 1 (T1) received 1 tablet of metformin SR 1000 mg and 1 tablet of TQ 50 mg once daily. The second arm (T2) patients received 1 tablet of metformin SR 1000 mg and 2 tablets of TQ 50 mg once daily. Patients in arm 3 (R) received 1 tablet of metformin SR 1000 mg only.

Results: The diabetic mice treated with combination of TQ and metformin showed significant decrease in blood sugar compared to those treated with only metformin. In patients who completed the study, the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values in T1, T2 and R decreased after 3 months from 7.2, 7.2 and 7.3 to 6.7, 6.8, and 7.1, respectively. A greater reduction in Fasting Blood Glucose and Post Prandial Blood Glucose was also observed in T1 and T2 arms compared to R.

Conclusion: At dose levels of 50 and 100 mg of TQ combined with a daily dose of 1000 mg Metformin demonstrated a reduction in the levels of HbA1c and blood glucose compared to the standard treatment of diabetic patients with metformin alone.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Benzoquinones / administration & dosage*
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / chemically induced
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / chemically induced
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / analysis
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Metformin / administration & dosage*
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Streptozocin / administration & dosage
  • Streptozocin / toxicity

Substances

  • Benzoquinones
  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Streptozocin
  • Metformin
  • thymoquinone