Karen Dean - HerbalGram - American Botanical Council

Compositions for treating and preventing diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and related symptoms, and methods for preparing and using such compositions. Invented by Edayatimangalam Raja Bhavani Shanmugasundaram and Kalathinkal Radha Shanmugasundaram (Chennai, India); and Rolland Hebert, Sohail Malik and Michael Baker (Seattle, WA). Assigned to Pharma Terra, Inc. (Bellevue, WA). U.S. Patent 5,980,902. Issued November 9, 1999.

This patent discloses methods of isolating compositions from the leaves of the traditional Ayurvedic medicinal plant gurmar (Gvmnema sylvestre (Retz.) Sm., Asclepiadaceae), for oral, intravenous, subcutaneous or transdermal administration to treat patients with types 1 and 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and other conditions associated with or symptoms of diabetes, including hyperlipidemia, elevated triglyceride levels, elevated free fatty acid levels, and reduced levels of insulin, c-peptide, amylase, and lipase. The patent also claims that the compositions reduce polydipsia, polyuria, and polyphagia, regenerate the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, including beta cells, increase endogenous insulin, lipase, and amylase levels, increase production of proinsulin and c-peptide, and lower blood lipids and triglycerides and free fatty acids tolerance. The text discusses the extent and costs of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance worldwide, and the natural and manufactured pharmaceuticals used to control them.

The patent is intended for worldwide enforcement, and for the natural and manufactured pharmaceuticals used to control the above conditions. It mentions in passing that G. sylvestre is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes, and presents data from clinical studies supporting the efficacy of the plant in the management of diabetes. The novelty of this patent is not readily apparent, and it is likely that it would be a difficult patent to enforce.

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