Aloe vera leaf gel in treatment of advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus needing insulin therapy: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

ABSTRACT

Advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] needing insulin therapy is a common disease. Previous studies indicate that aloe [Aloe vera L.] leaf gel may positively affect the blood glucose and lipid levels in patients with advanced T2DM needing insulin. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of aloe leaf gel in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients resistant to oral synthetic anti-hyperglycemic drugs needing insulin. In this randomized double - blind placebo-controlled clinical trial with the patients aged 40-60 years, the efficacy and safety of taking aloe leaf gel [one 300 mg capsule every 12 hours for 2 months] combined with oral synthetic anti-hyperglycemic drugs in treatment of 35 patients were evaluated and compared with the placebo group [n = 35]. The aloe leaf gel lowered the blood levels of fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin significantly [p = 0.041 and p = 0.023 respectively] without any significant effects on the lipid profile and liver/kidney function tests [p > 0.05] compared with placebo at the endpoint. No adverse effects were reported. The results suggest that aloe leaf gel may safely improve glycemic control in patients with advanced T2DM needing insulin