Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2006; 11: 18–9
Increased production of oxidative stress parameters in chronic diabetic patients has been reported in several studies. It indicates the close relation between the treatment of diabetes and intensity oxidative stress. In the present study the effect of Citrullus colocynthis (Schrad) fruit on oxidative stress parameters in type 2 diabetic patients is investigated.
A total of 44 male and female type 2 diabetic patients were randomly allocated in two groups of 22 patients each. One group received 100mg Citrullus colocynthis capsule and other group placebo three times a day plus standard therapy. The biochemical studies such as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, levels as well as oxidative parameters such as glutathione, superoxide dismotase, catalase and malondialdehyde were determined at the beginning and the end of the study after 2 months.
Result indicate a significant decrease in HbA1c and fasting blood glucose level in Citrullus colocynthis fruit-treated patients after 2 months as compared to beginning of the treatment and also as compare to placebo group. The oxidative parameters such as glutathione, superoxide dismotase, catalase and malondialdehyde were not changed significantly in both groups after 2 months of treatment.
In type 2 diabetic patients Citrullus colocynthis fruit treatment improved glycemic profile while it did not affect oxidative stress parameters.
This study was supported by a research grant #R509/2005 from the Endocrinology & Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. We thank the administration of the Institute of Medicinal Plants and the Medical and Nursing staff of the Diabetic Center of Shariati Hospital for their support in providing the necessary facilities for conducting this study.
