The role of a fixed Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum combination in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

AIM:

To evaluate if the addition of Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum (Berberol(®)) leads to a reduction of insulin dose and to an improvement of glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

85 type 1 diabetic patients were enrolled and randomized to take placebo or B. aristata/S. marianum 588/105 mg, 1 tablet at lunch and 1 tablet at dinner, for six months. We evaluated if there was a reduction of insulin dose necessary to reach an adequate glycemic control. We also evaluated at the study start, and after 6 months: body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), post-prandial glucose (PPG), lipid profile.

RESULTS:

We observed a reduction of total insulin consumption in B. aristata/S. marianum, both compared to baseline and to placebo. Regarding insulin administration at meals, we recorded that the group treated with B. aristata/S. marianum used less insulin at meals, and at bedtime. Glycated hemoglobin decreased with B. aristata/S. marianum compared to baseline, but not compared to placebo. There was a decrease of FPG, and PPG with B. aristata/S. marianum both compared to baseline and to placebo. Regarding lipid profile, we recorded a decrease of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol and an increase of HDL-cholesterol with B. aristata/S. marianum, both compared to baseline and to placebo.

CONCLUSIONS:

The addition of B. aristata/S. marianum to insulin therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus leads to a reduction of the insulin dose necessary to have an adequate glycemic control.

• Authors: Giuseppe Derosa, Angela D'Angelo, Pamela Maffioli
• Journal: Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (Clin Nutr) Vol. 35 Issue 5 Pg. 1091-5 (10 2016) ISSN: 1532-1983 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26384091 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Glycated Hemoglobin A
• Insulin
• Plant Preparations
• Triglycerides
• Cholesterol

Topics

• Adult
• Berberis (chemistry)
• Blood Glucose (metabolism)
• Body Mass Index
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 (drug therapy)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Glycated Hemoglobin (metabolism)
• Humans
• Insulin (administration & dosage, blood)
• Male
• Silybum marianum (chemistry)
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Preparations (pharmacology)
• Triglycerides (blood)
• Young Adult