The Effect of Purslane Seeds on Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Cross‑over Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to examine the effects of purslane seeds on biomarkers of oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: This cross‑over randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 40 patients with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 10 g/day purslane seeds with 240 cc low‑fat yogurt (intervention group) or only 240 cc low‑fat yogurt (as a control group) for 5 weeks. After a 2‑week washout period, subjects were moved to the alternate arm for an additional 5 weeks. At baseline and end of each study phase, fasting blood samples were collected to quantify biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Results: We observed a slight decrease in plasma total antioxidant capacity in both groups, however, between‑group changes were not significant (−2.67 vs. −2.95 µg/dL, P = 0.94). Plasma malondialdehyde in purslane group increased slightly, however, we observed no significant effect in the control group (1.62 vs. −0.47 µg/dL, P = 0.58). Although both groups had a slight reduction in plasma oxidized low‑density lipoprotein (ox‑LDL), we failed to find any significant effect of purslane on plasma ox‑LDL (−1.06 vs. −1.71 µg/dL, P = 0.85).

Conclusions: This cross‑over clinical trial revealed that consumption of purslane seeds for 5 weeks in type 2 diabetic patients did not result in improved oxidative stress.

Keywords: Diabetes, medicinal plant, oxidative stress, purslane