Effects of Dichrostachys glomerata spice on cardiovascular diseases risk factors in normoglycemic and type 2 diabetic obese volunteers

Previous in vivo and in vitro experimental studies have shown Dichrostachys glomerata (DG), a spice used in western Cameroon, to have potential antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of orally administered DG on various cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese normoglycemic and obese type 2 diabetic human subjects. The study was an 8 week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design with obese and obese/diabetic participants (20 males, 72 females, ages 25-65). The subjects were randomly divided into four groups: 2 normoglycemic obese groups (active; placebo) and two type 2 diabetic obese groups (active; placebo). Capsules containing the active (400 mg DG) or placebo formulation were administered 30-60 min before lunch and dinner throughout the study period. A total of 7 anthropometric and hemodynamic as well as 7 biochemical measurements were taken at the beginning of the study and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. All diabetic patients maintained their prior lifestyle intervention and dietary control for the duration of the study. Compared to the two placebo groups, the two active groups showed statistically significant differences on all 14 variables between Weeks 0 and 8. These included body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, body fat, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobulin. The results confirm the hypothesis that DG appears to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese normoglycemic and obese type 2 diabetic human subjects.