The efficacy of the oral capsule of aqueous alcoholic extract of red onion on blood sugar of women with gestational diabetes treated with diet

Mothers with gestational diabetes and their babies are exposed to significant maternal and neonatal complications. This study was conducted with aim to determine the effect of oral capsule of aqueous alcoholic extract of red onion on blood sugar of women with gestational diabetes treated with diet.

This triple-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted in 2021-2022 on 60 women with gestational diabetes in Mashhad. Eligible mothers at 24 to 30 weeks of gestation were randomly divided into two groups of 30 people, intervention or placebo, and took 500 mg capsules of red onion extract or placebo twice a day for 4 weeks. Fasting blood sugar was checked before, two weeks and four weeks after the study, and two hours after meals. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical software (version 16) and Chi-square, Independent t and Mann-Whitney tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

There was a statistically significant difference in the intervention group compared to the placebo group in the mean fasting blood sugar two and four weeks after the study (P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the intervention group compared to the placebo group in the mean blood sugar two hours after a meal two and four weeks later compared to before the study (P>0.05).

Considering the effect of red onion extract in reducing fasting blood sugar in women with gestational diabetes, it is recommended to teach its use in health centers.