Effect of Artemisia extract on glycemic control: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Animal and human studies have indicated anti-diabetic effect of Asteraceae. The present study aimed to systematically review and analyse randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of Artemisia extract on glycemic status in patients with impaired glycemic control. METHODS: Web of Science, Cochrane library, EMBASE and PubMed databases were searched from the earliest possible date up to 7th October 2020. RESULTS: Six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Analysis showed that supplementation with Artemisia extract decreased homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (-0.734, 95% CI: -1.236 to -0.232, P = .019) in comparison to placebo. However, reductions in fasting blood glucose (FBG) (-0.595, 95% CI: -1.566 to 0.376, P = .164), insulin (-0.322, 95% CI: -1.047 to 0.404, P = .286) and glycated haemoglobin (-0.106, 95% CI: -0.840 to 0.629, P = .678) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with Artemisia extract may reduce HOMA-IR, but beneficial effects on other markers such as FBG requires further investigations.

The effect of acorn muffin consumption on glycemic indices and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Acorn is a nutritious fruit with the reported potential of ameliorating diseases, including diabetes. This research aimed to assess the effects of acorn muffin consumption on glycemic, lipid indices, and appetite in patients with type 2 diabetes. Sixty-six subjects were dichotomized to receive either one muffin containing 10 grams of acorn flour or a placebo muffin containing white wheat flour (no bran), per day, for 8 weeks. Acorn muffin consumption improved glycated hemoglobin (p = .06, mean difference [MD] = -0.65), triglyceride (p = .06, MD = -36.38), and high-density lipoprotein (p = .05, MD = 1.30), albeit only marginally significantly. Among appetite parameters, hunger, desire to eat, and prospective to eat were significantly lower, and satiety and fullness were significantly higher, in the acorn muffin group. In conclusion, acorn muffins could be utilized as an adjuvant therapy to control appetite and ameliorate glycated hemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, further investigations are required for a more comprehensive conclusion.

The effect of spirulina sauce on glycemic index, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized double-blind clinical trial.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of spirulina sauce on glycemic indices, lipid profile, oxidative stress markers, and anthropometric measurement in type 2 diabetic patients. Forty patients were randomly assigned to receive 20 g/day spirulina sauce (containing 2 g of spirulina) or placebo for 2 months. Anthropometric and biochemical indices were measured at the beginning and end of the intervention. Fasting blood glucose (mean difference (MD): -15.3 mg/dL, 95% confidence (CI): -44.2 to 13.60, p = .26), HbA1c (MD: 0.13%, 95% CI: -0.83 to 0.57, p = .75), insulin (MD: -1.46 µIU/mL, 95% CI: -4.0 to 1.09, p = .28), and HOMA-IR (MD: -0.35, 95% CI: -2.0 to 1.32, p = .68) did not change significantly between groups. QUICKI increased significantly (MD: 0.025, 95% CI: 0.006 to 0.045, p = .03). Among the lipid profile, triglyceride (TG) (MD: -68.6 mg/dL, 95% CI: -107.21 to -29.98, p < .001), total cholesterol (MD: -29.55 mg/dL, 95% CI: -55.28 to -3.81, p = .02), and LDL (MD: -17.7 mg/dL, 95% CI: -33.24 to -2.15, p = .01) were significantly decreased in the spirulina group compared to the control; whereas, the change in HDL was non-significant. No significant change was observed in body composition and anthropometric measurements, except waist circumference, which was reduced (MD: -2.65 cm, 95% CI: -3.91 to -1.38, p = .001). Hunger index significantly decreased and fullness increased marginally significantly. Although malondialdehyde was significantly reduced, no change was observed in total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Spirulina sauce was not effective for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes; however, could be useful for controlling appetite and ameliorating lipid profile.

The effect of Spirulina sauce, as a functional food, on cardiometabolic risk factors, oxidative stress biomarkers, glycemic profile, and liver enzymes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients: A randomized double-blinded clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate the effect of Spirulina on cardiometabolic risk factors, oxidative stress biomarkers, glycemic profile, and liver enzymes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was performed on 46 NAFLD patients. Subjects were allocated to consume either Spirulina sauce or placebo, each 20 g/day for 8 weeks. Fatty liver grade, liver enzymes, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and serum lipids, glucose, insulin, malondialdehyde, and antioxidant capacity were assessed pre- and postintervention. RESULTS: Fatty liver grade was significantly different between the two groups. A significant change for ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) was seen between the two groups (p = .03 and .02, respectively), while ALP (alkaline phosphatase) serum levels were not significantly different within or between groups. Pertaining to glycemic profile, all variables, except HOMA-IR, were not significantly different within or between groups. Finally, statistically significant changes were seen in both MDA (malondialdehyde) and TAC (total antioxidant capacity) among the groups (p = .04 and <.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Spirulina may improve fatty liver grade by modifying liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and some lipid profiles; however, there was effect of Spirulina on anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure.