Effect of Jamu X on Blood Glucose Level in Healthy Volunteer

In the line with the government's policy to encourage the save and effective use of traditional medicines, the development of the traditional medicine is impressive today. After passing phases 1 and 2 clinical trials, a medicinal herb can be formally used in health care services. Jamu X has passed the safety and efficacy on preclinical tests. Obviously these data opens possibility to explore the safety and efficacy of the herbs in man. Objective: To find out the pharmacodynamic effect and the effective dose of Jamu X to reduce blood glucose levels following fasting and/or two hours after taking an oral glucose dose of 75 grams in healthy subject. Method: This study used a "before and after" design. Each healthy subject was given the product in 2 dosages in 2 separate periods. The first dose was 1 capsule three times a day for seven days. After a washout period of 2 weeks, the subject was given 1 capsule twice a day for another seven days. The parameters evaluated were the fasting blood glucose and the blood glucose levels at 2 hours after the ingestion of 75g oral glucose. Results: at a dose twice a day over 7 days can significantly reduce the blood glucose levels of healthy subjects. The mean level of fasting glucose reduced 5.2% (p=0.01) and the mean level of 2 hours after taking an oral glucose dose of 75 grams reduced 7.3% (p=0.01). Conclusion: Jamu X reduces blood glucose levels in healthy subject and the reduction in blood glucose levels is dose dependent. Further clinical trials on diabetic patients are required to establish the clinical efficacy and safety of this product as a potential herbal medicine in the management of diabetes mellitus.