Capparis spinosa L. (Caper) fruit extract in treatment of type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
Capparis spinosa L. (Caper) fruit is traditionally used as an anti-hyperglycemic food by Iranian diabetic patients. But yet, no controlled human study has determined its efficacy in treatment of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic patients.


METHODS
The present study was undertaken to explore the possible anti-hyperglycemic effects of the caper fruit extract in type 2 diabetic patients. A randomized clinical trial was conducted in 54 type 2 diabetic patients. Two groups 28 and 26 patients on standard anti-diabetic therapy, received 400mg caper fruit extract and placebo capsules three times a day respectively for two months.


METHODS
The patients fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipids levels, liver and renal function tests were determined at baseline and endpoint.


RESULTS
Results showed significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels (p=0.037) and glycosylated hemoglobin (p=0.043) in caper treated patients compared to control group at the end of the study. Triglyceride level also decreased significantly (p=0.29) in caper treated group at the end of the study compared to baseline. No liver, kidney and other side effects were observed in these two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Caper fruit extract may be a safe anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hypertriglyceridemic agent for type 2 diabetic patients.
Pharmacology and Applied Medicine Department of Medicinal Plants research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran.
Hassan Fallah
HF
Huseini
Shirin
S
Hasani-Rnjbar
Neda
N
Nayebi
Ramin
R
Heshmat
Farahnaz Khaliqi
FK
Sigaroodi
Maryam
M
Ahvazi
Behroz Abbasi
BA
Alaei
Saeed
S
Kianbakht
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D031484:Capparis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human
Capparis spinosa; Clinical trial; Diabetes; Medicinal plants