Effects of Juglans regia L. leaf extract on hyperglycemia and lipid profiles in type two diabetic patients: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
The Juglans regia L. leaf has been traditionally used for treatment of diabetes mellitus in Iran. But yet, no controlled human study has determined its efficacy in diabetic patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the Juglans regia leaf extract on hyperglycemia and lipid profiles in type II diabetic patients.


METHODS
Total 61 patients, suffering from type II diabetes with fasting blood glucose (FBG) between 150 and 200mg/dL, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) between 7% and 9% and aged between 40 and 60 years were selected, and randomly divided in to two groups of Juglans regia and placebo. First group received 100mg Juglans regia leaf extract in capsules form two times a day for 3 months and other group received 100mg placebo capsule with the same dosage. The standard anti-diabetic therapy (metformin and glibenclamide, and nutritional regimen) was continued in both groups. At the baseline and after three months the FBG, insulin, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL and liver and renal function tests were determined. In addition general satisfaction with the treatment was identified using health questionnaires.


RESULTS
The results indicated that FBG, HbA1c, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Juglans regia treated patients significantly decreased compared with the baseline and with placebo group. Patients in Juglans regia group were significantly satisfied with Juglans regia treatment compared with the placebo group. No liver, kidney and other side effects were observed in the groups, except more GI events (specially a mild diarrhea) associated with extract treatment at the beginning of the study.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, treatment of type II diabetic patients with 100mg Juglans regia leaf extract two times a day for three months improves lipid profile and glycemic control without any tangible adverse effects.
Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Saeed
S
Hosseini
Department of Nutrition, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, School of Public Health, Tehran, Iran.
Leila
L
Jamshidi
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Saeed
S
Mehrzadi
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Kazem
K
Mohammad
Karaj Diabetes Society, Alborz, Karaj, Iran.
Ali Reza
AR
Najmizadeh
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Houman
H
Alimoradi
Pharmacology and Applied Medicine Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, P.O.Box 31375-369, Karaj, Iran. Electronic address: Huseini_fallah@yahoo.com.
Hasan Fallah
HF
Huseini
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005905:Glyburide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007492:Iran; D031324:Juglans / Q000737:chemistry*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005905:Glyburide; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D008687:Metformin; D010936:Plant Extracts
Blood glucose; Diabetes; Juglans regia; Lipid profiles; Medicinal plants