Safety and Efficacy Study of Tarragon on Insulin Action in Humans

Artemisia dracunculus L., often called Russian tarragon, is a wild specie and a close
relative of common cooking tarragon (known as French tarragon or Artemisia dracunculus
sativa or dracunculoides). Artemisia and, more specifically, Artemisia dracunculus, have a
storied history of medicinal use in humans, particularly for treatment of diabetes. The
Artemisia dracunculus extract described in this project as PMI-5011 was originally
identified from a screening of extracts for hypoglycemic activity in diabetic mice as the
most promising candidate for the development of a nutritional supplement for diabetes. The
active compounds in the preparation are believed to be members of the sesquiterpene, lactone
or flavanoid groups, of which the Artemisia family is well known. Preliminary data from our
laboratory suggests that PMI-5011 may have significant effects to improve carbohydrate
metabolism by enhancing molecular events of insulin action in skeletal muscle.

PMI-5011 is an herbal botanical dietary supplement prepared from Artemisia dracunculus L.
(Russian Tarragon) to help maintain normal blood glucose concentrations. PMI-5011 is an
ethanolic extract from fresh herb grown in standardized hydroponic conditions for maximum
consistency and nutritional content. Artemisia is a large family of herbs with a rich
history of safe medicinal and culinary use. PMI-5011 is able to significantly decrease blood
glucose concentrations in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and in genetically diabetic
KK-Ay mice. The preparation does not, however, decrease blood glucose concentrations in
non-diabetic mice or rats. The historical use of the plant and its extract suggest that it
is safe and its non-toxicity has been confirmed with acute and chronic toxicity studies and
non-mutagenicity confirmed with AMES testing. PMI-5011 may have several modes of action
leading to its ability to decrease blood glucose concentrations in diabetic animals,
suggesting it is comprised of several different nutrients that act synergistically. Some in
vitro activities of PMI-5011 include the modulation of GLP-1 binding to its receptor and the
stimulation of insulin-mediated glucose uptake into cultured skeletal muscle cells. PMI-5011
also decreases the expression of PEPCK in the liver of diabetic animals and may decrease
hepatic glucose output as a result. Recently, in an in vitro assay identified that PMI 5011
may have potent effects to reduce phosphastase activities and thereby promote insulin
sensitivity.

The overall objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a high does of PMI 5011 in
obese insulin resistant, yet non-diabetic subjects. The study is a double-blind, randomized,
placebo-controlled, pilot study in which subjects will be randomized to receive either
placebo or PMI-5011 (4 500mg caps/TID) for a total of 3 weeks of treatment. Each subject
will continue on the same dosage of PMI-5011 or matching placebo for the entire duration of
treatment.

For this pilot trial, a precise technique (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps) will be used
to assess insulin sensitivity.

• Criteria for Inclusion

Men and women with obesity and meeting all criteria listed below will be included in the
study:

- Subjects >30 years of age

- Subjects not currently treated with diabetes medication

- Fasting blood glucose at time of screening of less than 126mg/dl

- Subjects with a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 32 and <45.

- Written Informed Consent obtained PRIOR to performing any screening tests or study
procedures.

• Exclusion Criteria

- Subjects with a prior history of Type 2 diabetes.

- Women who are pregnant or who are lactating.

- Women of childbearing potential who are not using an effective method of birth
control

- Type 1 diabetes.

- Subjects who are currently on thiazolidinediones (rosiglitazone or pioglitazone) or
who have taken these agents in the previous 12 weeks.

- Subjects who are on concomitant therapy with glucocorticoids (except topical or
inhalant glucocorticoids).

- Subjects with a history or evidence of significant gastrointestinal dysfunction

- Subjects who are taking concomitant therapy with medications known to be nephrotoxic,
such as aminoglycosides, methicillin, and cyclosporin.

- Subjects who have evidence of clinically significant renal dysfunction or disease

- Subjects with clinically significant cardiovascular dysfunction and/or history

- Subjects who have evidence within the preceding 6 months of hepatic disease or
dysfunction; hepatitis; jaundice; cirrhosis.

- Subjects with clinically significant pulmonary, neurologic, hematologic, immunologic,
neoplastic or metabolic disease.

- Subjects with evidence or recurrence of malignancy within the past five years, other
than excised basal cell carcinoma.

- Subjects for whom surgery is anticipated during the study period.

- Subjects with an history of substance abuse or alcoholism within the past 5 years, or
significant psychiatric disorder that would interfere with the subject's ability to
complete the study.

- Subjects who have donated blood during the month prior to study entry or planned
during the study.

- Subjects who have participated in other studies using an investigational drug during
the preceding 3 months.

- Subjects who are current smokers or have smoked within the previous 6 months. No
smoking will be allowed during the study.