A shortened treatment with rosemary tea (Rosmarinus officinalis) instead of powder decreases insulin resistance and serum glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D)

Background Rosemary leaves powder has been reported to reduce in a dose-dependent manner, glucose levels, lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in humans. However, patients should ingest high doses of powder contained in capsules. This formulation constitutes the intake of 10 capsules per day, so the active metabolite must first, be released and then absorbed (for which, rosemary leaf powder must be mixed with gastric juice). Aim Evaluate whether a shortened dose and time of treatment as well as the pharmaceutical presentation in rosemary tea (Rosmarinus officinalis) instead of powder have a therapeutic effect in the treatment of T2D. Method The complementary therapy with Rosemary tea (2g/1 litre of water per day) were evaluate on resistance to insulin, oxidative stress, biochemical parameters and anthropometric measurements in forty patients T2D under treatment with metformin and/or glibenclamide afther giving your authorization through informed consent. Results The data indicated that Rosemary tea intake after 90 days, statistically decreased (p < 0.05) anthropometric parameters like the body mass index and waist-hip ratio. Remarkably, this treatment decreased the percentages of glycated hemoglobin, insulin resistance, and the pancreatic β-cell function and lastly, a significant difference in lipid peroxide levels was found. Conclusion These data show that shortening time and dose, as well as changing the formulation of the Rosemary plant constitutes a promising treatment for drug-resistant T2D patients.