The effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Rheum ribes on insulin-resistance and apolipoproteins in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

AbstractBackground and aimPrevious studies have shown thatRheum ribes(R. ribes) could be effective in controlling the blood glucose levels. This study was conducted to determine the effects ofR. ribessupplementation on glycemic indices and apolipoproteins in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsIn the present randomized double-blind controlled trial, 60 type 2 diabetic patients aged 30–60 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 20–30 kg/m2and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 6–8% were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 450 mg of aqueousR. ribesextract (AG), 450 mg of ethanolicR. ribesextract (EG), or placebo (PG) three times daily for 6 weeks. At the baseline and at the end of the study, blood glucose levels, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the homeostatic model assessment of β-cell dysfunction (HOMA-B), as well as apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA1) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were measured.ResultsThere was a significant decrease in the serum levels of insulin in AG and EG groups (P = 0.003 andP = 0.001, respectively), HOMA-IR (P = 0.01 andP = 0.001, respectively), HOMA-B (P = 0.002 andP = 0.001, respectively), ApoB (P = 0.006 andP = 0.03, respectively), ApoB/ApoA1 ratio (P = 0.016 andP = 0.04, respectively). However, a significant increase in ApoA1 (P = 0.08 andP = 0.05, respectively) with no significant changes in blood glucose, at the end of study compared to beginning values, were observed. None of the variables showed a significant change in PG. At the end of the study; while there were significant differences in insulin (P = 0.04), HOMA-IR (P = 0.03), HOMA-B (P = 0.01), ApoB (P = 0.02), and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio (P = 0.03) among the groups but ApoA1 had no significant change.ConclusionConsumption ofR. ribesintake could have beneficial effects on insulin resistance and apolipoproteins in type 2 diabetic patients. (Registered at en.irct.ir, identification number: IRCT201410142709N31).