Effects of garlic pill on blood glucose level in borderline gestational diabetes mellitus : a triple blind, randomized clinical trial

Abstract EN

Background: Women with borderline gestational diabetes mellitus (BGDM) have a higher risk of complications in comparison with normal women.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of garlic pill on fasting blood sugar (FBS) and relapse of prediabetes symptoms (primary outcomes), as well as blood pressure, neonatal anthropometric indices, and mode of delivery (secondary outcomes) in prediabetic pregnant women.

Methods: This triple-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 49 women with prediabetes at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation in Tabriz, Iran, during 2015 - 16.

The participants were assigned to the intervention (n, 26) and control (n, 23) groups using block randomization.

The intervention group received a 400-mg garlic pill per day, while the control group received a placebo pill per day for eight weeks.

Four and eight weeks following the intervention, FBS and blood pressure were measured.

The newborns’ anthropometric indices and mode of delivery were also recorded after delivery.

Results: The mean FBS level in the garlic group decreased from 106.6 (11.1) mg/dL before the intervention to 83.6 (6.3) mg/dL at four weeks after the intervention and 79.4 (6.1) mg/dL at eight weeks after the intervention (adjusted mean difference, -3.7).

The garlic pill also led to a significant decrease in prediabetes symptoms at four weeks after the intervention (P < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure at four and eight weeks after the intervention (P = 0.041), compared to the control group.

No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of systolic blood pressure at four and eight weeks after the intervention, anthropometric indices, or mode of delivery.

Conclusions: The results revealed that garlic pill could reduce FBS level, prediabetes symptoms, and diastolic blood pressure.

However, further research with a larger sample size is required for more accurate results