Short Term Effects of a Hibiscus Sabdariffa and Stevia Rebaudiana Drink on Cardiac Relaxation and Urinary Albumin Excretion in a Group of Diabetic Type 2 Subjects

The investigators performed a non-randomized single-arm clinical trial with a before and after design, carried out from November 2016 and May 2017.

Intervention consisted of the administration of a Hibiscus-Stevia drink at a dose of 4 mg / kg / day for Stevia and 4 g / day for Hibiscus for a period of 8 weeks. Before and after intervention, the following were done by the participants: bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), blood pressure measurements, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, lipid profiles, liver function tests, kidney function tests, urinary excretion of albumin tests and full blood counts. These were followed by morphological workup including Electrocardiograms (ECGs), transthoracic heart ultrasounds and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurements (ABPM), also done before and after intervention.

Clinical evaluation with fasting blood sugar control, blood pressure controls and urinary excretion albumin tests were done at the 30th and 60th days for safety purposes.

Inclusion criteria

• Known T2DM patients aged above 21years No change in anti-diabetic medication during the last three months HbA1c between 42 to 64mmol/mol (6-8% Clearance of creatinine calculated according to the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation> 60ml/min/1.73 m2

Exclusion criteria

• Patient already on Hibiscus or stevia supplementation or other herbal medication Drugs that could interact with hibiscus or whose effects may be amplified, as far back as 1 month before study.

Cardiac, renal disease and liver pathologies Sensitivity, intolerance or allergy to hibiscus or stevia Discontinued intervention Withdrawal of consent