Antihyperglycemic efficacy and safety of AKROPOL, a Persian medicine poly-herbal extract mixture, in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial

In Iran, a variety of medicinal plants are used, either alone or in combination, for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, scientific and clinical studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of these medicinal plants.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of AKROPOL, a poly-herbal extract mixture used in Persian medicine, in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients.

Eighty six male and female patients, aged 40-60 years, registered at the Diabetes Clinic Registry of the Baqiyatallah Hospital, in Tehran, Iran, randomly allocated to two groups of 43 each. The patients in AKROPOL group received one capsule (containing 500 mg of poly-herbal extract mixture: chicory, turmeric, nettle, fenugreek and whortleberry) and the patients in placebo group received one capsule (containing 500 mg toast powder) twice a day in addition to their routine anti-diabetic medications for 3 months. The primary outcome measures were HbA1C and FBG (fasting blood glucose) levels, while lipid levels, liver enzymes and renal function tests were secondary outcome measures.

Compared with the placebo group and baseline, the AKROPOL group showed significant reductions in FBG, HbA1C, total cholesterol, and LDL-C levels. No significant hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, or other side effects were observed during the study.

The findings suggest that AKROPOL in addition to anti-diabetic and cholesterol-lowering effects, had no adverse effects in type 2 diabetic patients.