Effects of aloe vera supplements on blood glucose level and lipid profile markers in type 2 diabetic patients - A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: One of the most studied methods to adjust the blood glucose level and dyslipidemia in diabetic patients is administrating of herbal supplements. This double blinded randomized clinical trial (RCT) study we are aimed to study the effect of Aloe vera supplements on blood glucose level and lipid profile of diabetes mellitus type 2 patients. Methods: 44 patients (25 male and 19 female) fulfilling inclusion criteria, were divided into two groups of intervention and placebo randomly. The patients in intervention group received 1000 mg of Aloe vera supplements and the patients of placebo group received placebo, daily for two months beside the main treatment for diabetes mellitus. Before and after the intervention blood samples were taken from all the patients; and were measured for blood glucose level and lipid profile. The data were analyzed using independent T-test method. This RCT study was submitted in IRCT center by submitted code of IRCT201307269626N3. Results: The results revealed that the levels of the fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1c, Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) were not significantly different between the pre-intervention and post intervention blood samples in both intervention and placebo group. Also there was not any significant difference in blood glucose level and lipid profile comparing intervention and placebo groups. Conclusion: In this study, we can conclude that Aloe vera supplement beside the main treatment for diabetes mellitus has no significant effect in blood glucose level and lipid profile in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients.