Efficacy and safety of Sancai powder in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

A total of 105 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had taken metformin for at least three months without adequate glycaemic control were randomly divided into a treatment group, who stopped taking metformin and took Sancai powder instead, and a control group, who continued to take metformin. Sancai powder contains three herbal medicines - Tian Men Dong (Asparagi Radix), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Di Huang (Rehmanniae Rhizoma) - and in terms of TCM theory is designed to tonify qi and yin. After 12-weeks’ treatment the results showed Sancai powder was as effective as metformin in reducing plasma glucose levels and glycosylated haemoglobin. It also significantly improved insulin resistance and regulated lipid metabolism. [Oct 16]