Randomized double blind crossover trial of Aloe vera, Cnidoscolus chayamansa and placebo for reducing hyperglycemia in women with early metabolic syndrome

• Published in: Clinical Nutrition Experimental 2017-08, Vol.14 (C), p.1-12
• Main Authors: Cárdenas-Ibarra, Lilia, Villarreal-Pérez, Jesús Z., Lira-Castillo, J. Carlos, Nava-Alemán, Aram
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aloe vera; Cnidoscolus chayamansa; Functional food; Hypoglycemic effect; Metabolic syndrome; Obesity
• ISSN: 2352-9393; 2352-9393
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yclnex.2017.05.003

There have been antidiabetic claims for Aloe vera (AG) Barbadensis Mill. gel and infusion of Cnidoscolus chayamansa (CC) McVaugh. To determine if the ingestion of total process AG concentrated 5:1 (TA), AG, CC or placebo can reduce hyperglycemia in women with early metabolic syndrome (EMS). One hundred-twenty five women from two outpatient university clinics were randomly assigned to a three assay double-blind crossover procedure. Subjects were adult women with EMS by ATP III criteria assigned to assay 1: AG&CC vs P1&P2; assay 2: AG&P2 vs P1&CC; or assay 3: TA vs P3. All assays included the ingestion of one, then zero (washout period), then two gelatins/day, for 4, 1, 4 weeks, respectively. The expected outcome was an HbA1c decrease ≥4.2 mmol/mol or lower but sustaining euglycemia. Participants had a mean age of 46.8 ± 9.7 years and a mean HbA1c of 47.8 ± 12.7 mmol/mol at the start of the study. The least tolerated combination was AG&P2. Patients complained of bad taste and mild stomach pain because of the double dose of this treatment; this caused withdrawals: 4/25 vs. 9/21, respectively, Chi square = 4.1, df = 1, P  0.05; assay 2, −1.3 ± 6.6 vs −1.4 ± 7.6, P > 0.05; assay 3, −4.9 ± 8.3 vs 0.44 ± 5.4, P