The effects of Anethum graveolens L supplementation on the insulin resistance and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with many chronic disorders. Increasing the concentration of circulatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) can effect on the insulin sensitivity. Recently, the use of herbs as complementary and alternative medicine, due to low level of side effects, has been prevailed. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Anethum graveolens supplementation on the insulin resistance and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This randomized-double blind-placebo controlled study was conducted on 60 patients with type 2 diabetes in Tabriz, Iran. The eligible patients randomly divided to two intervention and control groups. Intervention group received 3.3 g/day powder of Anethum for 8 weeks and control group received the same amounts of starch. At the onset and end of the study, serum concentrations of insulin, IL-6 and TNF-α was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method; and hs-CRP was measured using spectrometry. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), as an index of insulin resistance, was calculated as fasting concentrations of blood glucose (mg/dl) × fasting insulin (μU/ml)/405. Findings: Serum concentration of insulin, IL-6, TNF-α and hs-CRP decreased significantly at the end of study in intervention group (P < 0.05). This decreasing was confirmed after adjusting for baseline and confounding factors. Changes in HOMA-IR were not significant in none of the groups. Conclusion: Supplementation of Anethum graveolens had beneficial effects on the concentration of insulin concentration and inflammatory biomarkers. However, further clinical studies are suggested to confirm the results.