https://imcjms.com Ibrahim Medical College Journal of Medical Science https://imcjms.com/registration/journal_full_text/241 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 15:36:19 +0000 Plant materials are considered to be attractive potential sources of alternate agents in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Different parts of Aegle marmelos have been claimed to possess anti-glycemic property. The present study was conducted at Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM), Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2010 to June 2011 to determine the anti-glycemic effect of A. marmelos unripe fruit pulp in T2DM patients. The experiment was conducted under a crossover design and the effects were analyzed during the 0-21 as well as 28-49 days with 7 days wash out period. The data were then pooled and the baseline versus endpoint values was also compared. The mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) values did not significantly differ between the two groups at any time points. No significant difference between the baseline and end point values regarding FBG. The effect on blood glucose was not significant in any of the analysis. This study did not reveal any anti-glycemic effect of A. marmelos fruit pulp in T2DM patients. Introduction Conventionally, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is treated with exogenous insulin and T2DM with synthetic oral hypoglycemic agents like sulphonylureas and biguanides.4 A substantial proportion of T2DM also requires insulin. However, the existing therapeutic agents have considerable limitations in the management of this complex disorder and search for alternate agents are continuing all over the world. Many plant materials had since been described for the treatment of diabetes, but scientific studies with these materials are limited. Among traditional medicinal plants, Aegle marmelos (Bael in Bengali) has enormous traditional uses against various diseases. Traditionally, various parts of the plant, Aegle marmelos, are used for the treatment of a variety of disorders. Aegle marmelos originated in India and is presently growing in most of the countries of Southeast Asia.5 Extensive chemical investigation on various parts of the tree have been carried out and more than 100 compounds have been isolated. The bioactive compounds isolated from these fruits were marmelosin, luvangetin, aurapten, psoralen, marmelide and tannin. In the above context, the present study was undertaken to explore the anti-glycemic effects of A. marmelos unripe fruit pulp powder in patients with T2DM. Materials and Methods Preparation of A. marmelos fruit pulp powder: Unripe fruits of Aegle marmelos were collected from specific area of Chapainawabgonj. Fruit pulps of A. marmelos (FPAM) were dried in sunlight for 5 to 6 days, coarsely powdered by grinder machine and stored in a dry cool place. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) software for Windows version-16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). The data were expressed as proportion and mean±SD (standard deviation) as appropriate. The statistical significance of differences between the values was assessed by paired or unpaired student’s t test as appropriate. Correlation analysis between the parameters was done by using Pearson’s Correlation test. Results   Table-1: Socio-demographic characteristics of the study subjects (n=30)     Table 2: Glycemic status of T2DM cases following A. marmelos fruit pulp drink daily for 21 days among control and intervention groups       Table 3: Glycemic status of T2DM cases following 21 days of A. marmelos fruit pulp drink daily among control and intervention groups after cross over and 7 days wash out period     A number of parts of A. marmelos have been studied for the anti-diabetic properties in diabetic rat models. The present one was probably the first study in which a part of the plant was tested on human for anti-diabetic properties. The part chosen was the unripe fruit pulp of A. marmelos as this was the commonest part consumed by people as drink and prescribed by the traditional healers in Bangladesh. In fact, a few commercial preparations of the pulp are now available in Bangladesh market with wide spectrum of therapeutic claims including for diabetes. Testing the efficacy and safety of the fruit pulp has thus public health importance.   1.    Zimmet P. Diabetes epidemiology as a tool to trigger diabetes research and care. Diabetologia 1999; 42: 499-518. 3.    Wild S, Roglic G, Green A, Sicree R, King H. Global Prevalence of Diabetes. Estimates for the year 2000 and projections for 2030. Diabetes Car 2004; 27:           1047-1053. 5.    Parmar C, Kaushal MK. In: Wild Fruits. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, India, Aegle marmelos 1982; 1-5. 7.    Kamalakkanan N, Prince PSM. Hypoglycemic effect of water extract of Aegle marmelos fruits in streptozotocin induced diabetes rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2003; 87: 207-210. 8.     Kamalakkanan N. and Prince PS.. The effect of Aegle marmelos fruit extract in streptozotocin diabetes: a histopathological study. J. Herb Pharmacother 2005; 5: 87-96. 2026 Ibrahim Medical College. All rights reserved.