The effect of aqueous extract of barberry and selected training on some blood factors in men with type2 diabetes (A Quasi-Experimental Study)

Background and objectives: Although the efficacy of selected training and antioxidant herbs in the treatment of diabetes mellitus has been determined, the interactive effect of selected training and aqueous extract of barberry on insulin resistance and risk factors of type2 diabetes mellitus is not well understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of barberry and selected training on some blood factors in men with type2 diabetes. Methods: In this study, 48 middle-aged men an age range of40-50 years with type2 diabetes participated in the study. The participants were randomly divided into four groups of 12subjects, including(1)control, (2)aqueous extract of barberry consumption, (3)aerobic training, and (4)aerobic training+ barberry consumption, based on insulin resistance index. The participants in the aqueous extract of barberry consumption group received200 ml of barberry juice daily for8 weeks and the training and training+ barberry consumption groups performed the training protocol designed in the study for 8 weeks, while the control group did not receive any intervention.After8 weeks of exercise training and consumption of aqueous extract of barberry, insulin resistance index, fasting insulin level, fasting blood glucose level, triglyceride level, low density lipoprotein (LDL)and total cholesterol were significantly decreased compared to the control group and high density lipoprotein (HDL)had a significant increase; on the other hand, regarding the intergroup changes, only the levels of LDL and CHO were significant compared to the aqueous extract of barberry consumption and aerobic training. Conclusions: In general, aqueous extract of barberry consumption and regular exercise training seems to be effective in improving insulin resistance index and blood lipids levels in type2 diabetic patients.