Metabolic effects of aloe vera gel complex in obese prediabetes and early non-treated diabetic patients: randomized controlled trial

Nutrition. 2013 Sep;29(9):1110-4. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2013.02.015. Epub 2013 Jun 2.

Abstract

Objective: The metabolic effects of an aloe vera gel complex (Aloe QDM complex) on people with prediabetes or early diabetes mellitus (DM) are unknown. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of Aloe QDM complex on body weight, body fat mass (BFM), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin, and Homeostasis Model of Assessment - Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) in obese individuals with prediabetes or early DM who were not on diabetes medications.

Methods: Participants (n = 136) were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group and evaluated at baseline and at 4 and 8 wk.

Results: The study lost six participants in the control group and eight in the intervention group. At 8 wk, body weight (P = 0.02) and BFM (P = 0.03) were significantly lower in the intervention group. At 4 wk, serum insulin level (P = 0.04) and HOMA-IR (P = 0.047) were lower in the intervention group; they also were lower at 8 wk but with borderline significance (P = 0.09; P = 0.08, respectively). At 8 wk, FBG tended to decrease in the intervention group (P = 0.02), but the between-group difference was not significant (P = 0.16).

Conclusion: In obese individuals with prediabetes or early untreated DM, Aloe QDM complex reduced body weight, BFM, and insulin resistance.

Keywords: Aloe vera; Fat; Insulin resistance; Weight.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aloe / chemistry*
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Fasting
  • Female
  • Gels
  • Homeostasis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / drug therapy
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Prediabetic State / drug therapy
  • Prediabetic State / metabolism*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Gels
  • Insulin
  • Plant Extracts