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Planta Med 2012; 78(4): 311-316
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1280474
Clinical Studies
Original Papers
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Anti-hyperglycemic and Anti-hypercholesterolemic Effects of Aloe vera Leaf Gel in Hyperlipidemic Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Hasan Fallah Huseini1 , Saeed Kianbakht1 , Reza Hajiaghaee2 , Fataneh Hashem Dabaghian3
  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Applied Medicine, Research Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmacy, Research Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
  • 3Research Institute for Islamic and Complementary Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Further Information

Publication History

received October 21, 2011 revised Nov. 6, 2011

accepted Dec. 2, 2011

Publication Date:
23 December 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Diabetes mellitus type 2 with dyslipidemia is a common disease. Previous studies suggest that aloe (Aloe vera L.) leaf gel may positively affect the blood glucose and lipid levels in dyslipidemic type 2 diabetic patients. Thus, in this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial with hyperlipidemic (hypercholesterolemic and/or hypertriglyceridemic) type 2 diabetic patients aged 40 to 60 years not using other anti-hyperlipidemic agents and resistant to daily intake of two 5 mg glyburide tablets and two 500 mg metformin tablets, the efficacy and safety of taking aloe gel (one 300 mg capsule every 12 hours for 2 months) combined with the aforementioned drugs in treatment of 30 patients were evaluated and compared with the placebo group (n = 30). The aloe gel lowered the fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, and LDL levels significantly (p = 0.036, p = 0.036, p = 0.006, and p = 0.004, respectively) without any significant effects on the other blood lipid levels and liver/kidney function tests (p > 0.05) compared with the placebo at the endpoint. No adverse effects were reported. The results suggest that aloe gel may be a safe anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hypercholesterolemic agent for hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetic patients.

Key words

Aloe vera - Liliaceae - diabetes - hyperlipidemia - patient

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Dr. Saeed Kianbakht

Research Institute of Medicinal Plants
Research Complex of Iranian Academic Center for Education
Culture and Research (ACECR)

Kavosh Boulevard, Supa Boulevard

P. O. Box (Mehr Villa): 31375–369

Pouleh Kordan, Karaj

Iran

Phone: +98 26 14 76 40 10-9

Fax: +98 26 14 76 40 21

Email: skianbakht@yahoo.com