ABSTRACT
Type 2 diabetes is a well-known endocrine and metabolic disorder which has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and represents a serious public health concern. Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia are two major abnormalities which are major cardiovascular risk factors. Berberine is a major alkaloid in Berberis vulgaris fruit extract [BVFE] which have important role in regulation of serum glucose and fat metabolism in-vivo and in-vitro but its role in type 2 diabetes have not been extensively examined. The aim of this study was the effect of BVFE on serum lipoproteins, apoB, apoA-I, homocysteine, glycemic control and total antioxidant capacity in type 2 diabetic patients. In a double-blind randomised clinical trial, 31 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to 3 g/d BVFE or placebo for 3 months. Serum glucose, lipoproteins, apoB, apoA-I, insulin, homocysteine and HbA1c were measured at the baseline and also at the end of the 3[rd] month. At the beginning and end of 1[st], 2[nd] and 3[rd] months, a 24-h dietary recall questionnaire about each patients was completed. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16. There were significant decreases in serum TG, TC, LDL-c, apo B, glucose, and insulin and also a significant increase in TAC at the end of the study in BVFE group compared to the control group [p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.01 and p = 0.0001 respectively]. There were significant differences in serum TG [p = 0.0001], TC [p = 0.001], LDL-c [p = 0.001], apoB [p = 0.001], glucose [p = 0.002], insulin [p = 0.01], TAC [p = 0.005], and insulin resistance [p = 0.01] between the two groups at the end of the study; but homocysteine, HbA[1c] and HDL-c showed no significant changes between the two groups at the end of study. The intake of 3 g/d BVFE for 3 months may have benefical effects on lipoproteins, apoproteins, glycemic control and TAC in type 2 diabetic patients