title: Hypoglycemic action of an oral fig-leaf decoction in type-I diabetic patients.
abstract: The effect of a decoction of fig leaves (Ficus carica), as a supplement to breakfast, on diabetes control was studied in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients (six men, four women, age 22-38 years, body mass index (BMI): 20.8 +/- 3.0 kg/m2, HbA1c 7.6 +/- 0.9% with a mean duration of diabetes of 9 +/- 6.3 years). The patients were managed with their usual diabetes diet and their twice-daily insulin injection. During the first month, patients were given a decoction of fig leaves (FC) and during the next month a non-sweet commercial tea (TC). The patients were divided into two groups (n = 5) with random allocation and cross-over design. A standard breakfast was given at the beginning and end of each month-run. C-peptide, 2 h pre- and post-prandial glycemia, HbA1c, cholesterol, lipid fractions and hematology data, were analyzed during each visit. Glycemic profiles (7/day per week) were recorded by patients. Only two patients had intolerance dropout. Post-prandial glycemia was significantly lower during supplementation with FC 156.6 +/- 75.9 mg/dl versus TC 293.7 +/- 45.0 mg/dl (P < 0.001) without pre-prandial differences 145.0 +/- 41.5 and 196.6 +/- 43.2 mg/dl, respectively. Medium average capillary profiles were also lower in the two sub-groups of patients during FC 166.7 +/- 23.6 mg/dl, P < 0.05 and 157.1 +/- 17.0 mg/dl versus TC 245.8 +/- 14.2 mg/dl and 221.4 +/- 27.3 mg/dl. Average insulin dose was 12% lower during FC in the total group. The addition of FC to diet in IDDM could be of help to control postprandial glycemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Badajoz and Serv. Endocrinology, University Hospital 12 Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serraclara
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Campillo
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Torres
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D002196:Capillaries; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D019685:Rosales / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin