the effects of berberis vulgaris fruit extract on serum lipoproteins, apob, apoa-i, homocysteine, glycemic control and total antioxidant capacity in type 2 diabetic patients

type 2 diabetes is a well-known endocrine and metabolic disorder which has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and represents a serious public health concern. hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia are two major abnormalities which are major cardiovascular risk factors. berberine is a major alkaloid in berberis vulgaris fruit extract (bvfe) which have important role in regulation of serum glucose and fat metabolism in-vivo and in-vitro but its role in type 2 diabetes have not been extensively examined.    the aim of this study was the effect of bvfe on serum lipoproteins, apob, apoa-i, homocysteine, glycemic control and total antioxidant capacity in type 2 diabetic patients. in a double-blind randomised clinical trial, 31 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to 3 g/d bvfe or placebo for 3 months. serum glucose, lipoproteins, apob, apoa-i, insulin, homocysteine and hba1c were measured at the baseline and also at the end of the 3rd month.     at the beginning and end of 1st, 2nd and 3rd months, a 24-h dietary recall questionnaire about each patients was completed. data were analyzed by spss version 16.     there were significant decreases in serum tg, tc, ldl-c, apo b, glucose, and insulin and also a significant increase in tac at the end of the study in bvfe group compared to the control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.01 and p = 0.0001 respectively).     there were significant differences in serum tg (p = 0.0001), tc (p = 0.001), ldl-c (p = 0.001), apob (p = 0.001), glucose (p = 0.002), insulin (p = 0.01), tac (p = 0.005), and insulin resistance (p = 0.01) between the two groups at the end of the study; but homocysteine, hba1c and hdl-c showed no significant changes between the two groups at the end of study.     the intake of 3 g/d bvfe for 3 months may have benefical effects on lipoproteins, apoproteins, glycemic control and tac in type 2 diabetic patients.