Diabetes mellitus is a progressive metabolic disease and if left untreated, it is associated with failure of various organs. The search of safer antidiabetic agents leads to research of traditional medicinal plants.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of Abelmoschus esculentus water on the postprandial blood sugar among healthy normal human subjects.
METHOD: Randomized Open-Label Study. Normal healthy volunteers 20-60 years of age were recruited at Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center. After an overnight fast, FBS measurements were recorded. The were then randomized to Okra water and placebo. Both groups were also fed a standard meal in addition to the water of their respective groups. Capillary blood glucose was measured. after 2 hours and 4 hours. The difference in in the blood glucose of both groups was compared.
RESULTS: The mean random blood sugar of the subjects after intake of standard meal 2 hour postprandial in okra water group (109.92 ± 9.45 mg/dl) is greater than in the placebo group (108.35 ± 9.93 mg/dl), but not statistically significant (p>0.05). Also, the mean RBS 4 hours postprandial is less in okra water group than in placebo group (95.23 ± 6.99 versus 96.40 ± 9.13 mg/dl) but is also not statistically significant (p>0.05). Overall, the mean blood sugar of the okra water group from baseline to postprandial has no significant difference as compared to placebo.
CONCLUSION: Contrary to the previous animal studies, this present study, which used human subjects, showed no significant difference n the postprandial blood sugar level on subjects given with A. esculentus water as compared to placebo.