ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate ginger's cardiovascular and metabolic effects (Zingiberofficinale) add-on therapy in type 2 diabetes patients over six weeks. METHODS: We performed a single-arm clinical trial. In well-to-moderately controlled Type 2 diabetic patients with unchanged treatment for at least three months, the intervention consisted of 6-week add-on oral supplementation of powdered ginger extracts in capsules at a dose of 399 mg three times per day. Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), glycatedhaemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, kidney and liver function analysis were performed at initial and final visits, with a follow-up visit on day 21. Adherence to treatment, palatability and safety were also assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 21 participants (16 females) were included in the analysis. We found a non-significant decrease of E' wave from 0.05[0.04-0.09] to 0.06[0.05-0.7]cm/s, A-wave from 0.8[0.6-0.8] to 0.7[0.6-0.8] cm/s, and E-wave from 0.6[0.5-0.7] to 0.5[0.425-0.6]cm/s. There was a significant reduction of HbA1c from 49.7[47.0-57.4] to 44.3[38.8-53.0] mmol/mol and triglycerides from 1.6[1.4-1.9] to 1.2[0.9-1.8] mmol/l. A 5% decrease or more was observed for diurnal DBP, diurnal MAP and 24-hour DBP. CONCLUSION: Zingiberofficinale used as add-on therapy tend to improve diastolic function, blood pressure and lipid profile of type 2 diabetes patients. Further studies are needed to define the dosage and duration of this supplementary treatment accurately. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04222738.
