Pilot protocol compares Ayurvedic Nimba-Amalakyadi powder versus metformin for type 2 diabetes

Low confidence

some concerns bias

Last updated May 26, 2026

Key takeaway:

This article is a pilot trial protocol in adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes that plans to compare Nimba-Amalakyadi powder against metformin over 45 days, with follow-up to day 90, and no final efficacy results are reported yet.

Study at a glance

What was studied

A pilot randomized protocol comparing Nimba-Amalakyadi powder versus metformin in type 2 diabetes.

Study type

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)

duration

Short-Term (≤3 mo)

Intervention

Nimba-Amalakyadi powder, Metformin

Outcomes

HbA1c, Fasting Plasma Glucose, Postprandial glucose, Urine sugar

Funding

Non-industry sponsored

Main effects

No completed comparative efficacy results reported in this protocol publication

Planned glycemic endpoints include HbA1c, fasting blood sugar, postprandial glucose, and urine sugar

Feasibility endpoints include recruitment, retention, adherence, acceptability, and data completeness

Evidence Summary

Intervention	Outcome	Measured Change	Study Effect
Metformin (Medications)	HbA1c (Glycemic Control)	Uncertain	Limited
Nimba-Amalakyadi powder (Supplements)	Fasting Plasma Glucose (Glycemic Control)	Uncertain	Limited
Nimba-Amalakyadi powder (Supplements)	HbA1c (Glycemic Control)	Uncertain	Limited
Nimba-Amalakyadi powder (Supplements)	Postprandial glucose (Glycemic Control)	Uncertain	Limited
Nimba-Amalakyadi powder (Supplements)	Urine sugar (Glycemic Control)	Uncertain	Limited

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Evidence Suggest

Methods section specifies randomized allocation with two groups and 45-day intervention exposure plus day-90 follow-up.
The paper explicitly identifies itself as a protocol and states final results are expected after completion phases.
Outcome variables are described as planned measurements rather than reported comparative endpoint results.

Who this applies to

Adults aged 20-60 years with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (<6 months)

Keep in Mind

Interpret this as a protocol, not a completed efficacy trial.

Between the Lines

This publication is a protocol and does not report final efficacy results.
Small planned pilot sample size (n=36) limits inferential strength.
Open-label design may introduce performance and expectation biases.
Single-center setting may limit generalizability.

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Journal Reference

Sawarkar P, Sawarkar GR. Evaluation of the comparative efficacy of an Ayurvedic formulation (Nimba-Amalakyadi powder) vs metformin in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: protocol for a pilot study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2026;15:e63574. doi:10.2196/63574