Randomized double blind crossover trial of Aloe vera, Cnidoscolus chayamansa and placebo for reducing hyperglycemia in women with early metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background: There have been antidiabetic claims for Aloe vera (AG) Barbadensis Mill. gel and infusion of Cnidoscolus chayamansa (CC) McVaugh. Objectives: To determine if the ingestion of total process AG concentrated 5:1 (TA), AG, CC or placebo can reduce hyperglycemia in women with early metabolic syndrome (EMS). Methods: One hundred-twenty five women from two outpatient university clinics were randomly assigned to a three assay double-blind crossover procedure. Subjects were adult women with EMS by ATP III criteria assigned to assay 1: AG&CC vs P1&P2; assay 2: AG&P2 vs P1&CC; or assay 3: TA vs P3. All assays included the ingestion of one, then zero (washout period), then two gelatins/day, for 4, 1, 4 weeks, respectively. The expected outcome was an HbA1c decrease ≥4.2 mmol/mol or lower but sustaining euglycemia. Results: Participants had a mean age of 46.8 ± 9.7 years and a mean HbA1c of 47.8 ± 12.7 mmol/mol at the start of the study. The least tolerated combination was AG&P2. Patients complained of bad taste and mild stomach pain because of the double dose of this treatment; this caused withdrawals: 4/25 vs. 9/21, respectively, Chi square = 4.1, df = 1, P 0.05; assay 2, −1.3 ± 6.6 vs −1.4 ± 7.6, P > 0.05; assay 3, −4.9 ± 8.3 vs 0.44 ± 5.4, P < 0.01, respectively. TA concomitantly reduced high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Data suggest that TA decreases blood glucose levels by reducing the proinflammatory state. The infusion of microwave dehydrated CC leaves did not reduce blood glucose or HDL and triglyceride levels. Clinical Trails.gov Identifier: NCT00916175.

Keywords

• Metabolic syndrome
• Aloe vera
• Cnidoscolus chayamansa
• Functional food
• Obesity
• Hypoglycemic effect