Improvements in Hemoglobin A1C, a marker of the long-term presence of excess glucose in the blood, were observed following three months of supplementation with 250 milligrams per day of resveratrol (Biofort, Biotivia Bioceuticals International) in combination with oral hypoglycemic agents.
“The results of the present study support our hypothesis that resveratrol supplementation improves glycemic control and the associated risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,” wrote researchers in Nutrition Research.
“The study also suggests that resveratrol could be used as an effective adjuvant therapy with a conventional hypoglycemic regimen to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.”
Resveratrol
Resveratrol, a powerful polyphenol and anti-fungal chemical, is often touted as the bioactive compound in grapes and red wine, and has particularly been associated with the so-called 'French Paradox'. The phrase, coined in 1992 by Dr Serge Renaud from Bordeaux University, describes the low incidence of heart disease and obesity among the French, despite their relatively high-fat diet and levels of wine consumption.
Other studies with only resveratrol have reported anti-cancer effects, anti-inflammatory effects, cardiovascular benefits, anti-diabetes potential, energy endurance enhancement, and protection against Alzheimer’s.
Study details
The researchers, led by Moola Joghee Nanjan from the JSS College of Pharmacy in Tamilnadu, India, sought to test their hypothesis that oral supplementation of resveratrol could improve the glycemic control in type-2 diabetics.
Sixty-two people were randomly assigned to receive their standard oral hypoglycemic agents with or without resveratrol (250 mg/d) for three months.
Results showed that average Hemoglobin A1C levels were 9.65 in the resveratrol group, compared to 9.99 in the control group. Systolic blood pressure was also significantly lower in the resveratrol group, compared to the control group: 127.92 versus 139.71 mmHg, respectively.
Significant improvements were also recorded in total cholesterol levels and total protein, said the researchers.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical study to evaluate the effect of resveratrol as supplement in Indian patients with type-2 diabetes,” wrote the researchers. The potential mechanism behind the benefits is not clear, they added, and additional research is needed to elucidate the mechanism.
“Oral supplementation of resveratrol is thus found to be effective in improving glycemic control and may possibly provide a potential adjuvant for the treatment and management of diabetes,” they concluded.
Source: Nutrition Research
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2012.06.003
“Resveratrol supplementation improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus”
Authors: J.K. Bhatt, S. Thomas, M.J. Nanjan