Assessment of antidiabetic effect of Abelmoschus culentesus (Okra) on diabetes mellitus type 2 patients who received oral agents

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes occurs as a result of the inability to produce sufficient insulin and resistance to it. Various factors such as obesity and genetic factors can cause type 2 diabetes. Chronic complications of type 2 diabetes include cardiovascular disease, end-stage renal failure, visual impairment, and amputation. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) has traditionally been used in different countries to treat type 2 diabetes. The effect of aqueous and ethanolic fruits and extracts on diabetic rats in different countries has been investigated. Objective: To investigate the effect of Okra on type 2 diabetic patients taking glucose control medicine. Method: In this double blind randomization clinical trial, 99 patients with type 2 diabetic were involved. Of these, 49 patients were in the control group (placebo recipient) and 50 patients in the test group (okra capsule recipient). Patients in test group were given Okra Capsule at a dose of 1000 mg every 6 hour for 8 weeks and patients in the control group were given Plasebo Capsule . In both groups, blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks. Fasting Blood Sugar(mg/dL); Blood Sugar(mg/dL) Low Density Lipoprotein(mg/dL); High Density Lipoprotein(mg/dL); Triglyceride(mg/dL); Alanine Aminotransferase (units/L); Aspartate Aminotransferase (units/L) were measured after 8 weeks. In all patients, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, BMI and abdominal circumference were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Within group analysis showed that, the FBS, BS, HgA1C were decresed significantly in test group compared to baseline. No significant differences were found in control group at baseline and after intervation. In the between group analysis data were adjusted based on baseline FBS and HgA1C values. After adjustment BS, FBS, and HgA1C decresed remarkbaly in test group compared to control group. Conclusion: Taking the okra capsule at a dose of 1000mg every 6 hour improved FBS, BS, and HgA1C. Okra can be used as an oral adjuvant beside other oral agents to improve glycemic control