Lipid-Lowering Effect of Citrullus colocynthis in Diabetic Patients

Background: Citrullus colocynthis (C. colocynthis) is a traditional medicinal plant used as an antidiabetic herb in the northeast of Iran. However, its effects on diabetes-related disorders, such as diabetic dyslipidemia have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. colocynthis on the lipid profile of type ۲ diabetes patients with dyslipidemia.Methods: Seventy-six diabetic patients with dyslipidemia who attended the diabetes clinic in Sabzevar, Iran were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=۳۸) to receive C. colocynthis capsules (۱۲۵ mg) or a placebo group (n=۳۸) receiving starch and Tragacanth powder (۱۲۵ mg) once daily for ۸ weeks. The primary outcome was the change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level at ۸th week. Secondary outcomes included modifications in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels.Results: After ۸ weeks, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in LDL-C level compared to baseline (p=۰.۰۰۱) and to the placebo group (p=۰.۰۰۶). No significant differences were observed between the C. colocynthis and placebo groups for total cholesterol (p=۰.۱), HDL-C (p=۰.۶), and triglycerides (p=۰.۰۶). No adverse events were recorded during the study.Conclusion: In type ۲ diabetic patients with dyslipidemia, C. colocynthis supplementation could significantly decline the LDL-C level over ۸ weeks when compared to placebo. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of C. colocynthis.

کلیدواژه ها:

diabetes mellitus ، Citrullus colocynthis ، Dyslipidemia ، Herbal medicine ، Traditional medicine