triterpenes for diabetic neuropathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot clinical study.

Background: Diabetic neuropathy (DN), a common complication of diabetes mellitus, results from hyperglycemia, poor microcirculation and attendant nerve damage. Currently available treatments relieve symptoms, but do not modify the neurodegeneration underlying DN. (CA) triterpenes improved microcirculation in earlier clinical studies, and showed neurotropic effects in preclinical models suggesting a potential disease modifying effect in DN.