Effect of Curcumex on Serum Lipid Profile and Fasting Blood Glucose, HbA1c, and Insulin Resistance Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is one of the causes of mortality worldwide. Turmeric, ginger, and black pepper have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of Curcumex supplement (Turmeric herbal capsule (320 mg), ginger (150 mg), and black pepper (4 mg) on fasting blood glucose levels, HbA1c levels, insulin resistance, and serum lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: This study was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted on 60 patients with type 2 diabetes who were randomly divided into the intervention (n=30) and placebo (n=30) groups. The intervention group received the Curcumex supplement capsule twice a day, every 12 hours for 90 days, and the placebo group received the same amount and duration of the starch capsule. At the beginning and end of the study, blood sugar indices, including fasting blood sugar levels, plasma insulin levels, HbA1C levels, HOMA-B, HOMA-IR, and lipid profile (high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol (Chol), triglyceride (TG), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)) were assessed. Results: The mean values of age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) were not significantly different between the two groups before the study. There was a statistically significant difference and decrease between mean scores of blood sugar indices, including serum levels of HbA1C (P = 0.003), plasma insulin (P = 0.015), HOMA-IR (P = 0.001), fasting blood glucose (P = 0.06), and BMI (P = 0.016) after the intervention. After the intervention, no significant changes were not observed in other variables, such as HDL, LDL, Chol, TG, and VLDL. Conclusions: The consumption of curcumex supplement capsules in patients with type 2 diabetes reduces serum levels of HbA1C, plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, fasting blood glucose, and BMI.