Palestinian Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal (Pal. Med. Pharm. J.)

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Keywords

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Peganum harmala
• advanced glycation end products
• fructosamine
• pomegranate

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined whether short-term supplementation with dried pomegranate flowers, dried pomegranate peels, or Peganum harmala seeds affects advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and fructosamine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Secondary objectives included evaluating whether diabetes duration, medication use, or biochemical parameters modify these glycation responses. Methods: A total of 124 adults with T2DM were randomized into four groups: Control (n = 27), Pomegranate Flower (n = 33), Pomegranate Peel (n = 33), and P. harmala Seed (n = 31). The control group received standard therapy alone, while intervention groups received standard therapy plus 0.896 g/day of the assigned supplement for 2 weeks. Serum AGEs and fructosamine were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Eighty-eight participants completed the trial. Results: Pomegranate flower and P. harmala were associated with increases in AGEs, suggesting potentially adverse short-term glycation effects. Fructosamine also increased with P. harmala and pomegranate peel, indicating no glycemic benefit during the intervention period. Higher AGEs were observed among participants using metformin or other antidiabetic medications and among those with longer diabetes duration. AGEs correlated negatively with HbA1c and positively with HDL, while fructosamine correlated positively with total cholesterol and LDL. Conclusion: Short-term supplementation with P. harmala, pomegranate flower, or pomegranate peel did not improve glycation markers and was instead linked to elevated AGEs or fructosamine. These changes appear influenced by underlying metabolic status rather than a therapeutic effect. Longer studies are needed to clarify clinical relevance and safety. Recommendations: Future studies with larger sample sizes and longer intervention durations are needed to determine whether the observed glycation changes persist and to better evaluate long-term safety. Investigating potential synergistic effects between P. harmala and Punica granatum components may also provide further insight into their metabolic impact.

معلومات المقال

قيد النشر

الكلمات الإفتتاحية

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Peganum harmala
• advanced glycation end products
• fructosamine
• pomegranate

الملخص

Objectives: This study examined whether short-term supplementation with dried pomegranate flowers, dried pomegranate peels, or Peganum harmala seeds affects advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and fructosamine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Secondary objectives included evaluating whether diabetes duration, medication use, or biochemical parameters modify these glycation responses. Methods: A total of 124 adults with T2DM were randomized into four groups: Control (n = 27), Pomegranate Flower (n = 33), Pomegranate Peel (n = 33), and P. harmala Seed (n = 31). The control group received standard therapy alone, while intervention groups received standard therapy plus 0.896 g/day of the assigned supplement for 2 weeks. Serum AGEs and fructosamine were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Eighty-eight participants completed the trial. Results: Pomegranate flower and P. harmala were associated with increases in AGEs, suggesting potentially adverse short-term glycation effects. Fructosamine also increased with P. harmala and pomegranate peel, indicating no glycemic benefit during the intervention period. Higher AGEs were observed among participants using metformin or other antidiabetic medications and among those with longer diabetes duration. AGEs correlated negatively with HbA1c and positively with HDL, while fructosamine correlated positively with total cholesterol and LDL. Conclusion: Short-term supplementation with P. harmala, pomegranate flower, or pomegranate peel did not improve glycation markers and was instead linked to elevated AGEs or fructosamine. These changes appear influenced by underlying metabolic status rather than a therapeutic effect. Longer studies are needed to clarify clinical relevance and safety. Recommendations: Future studies with larger sample sizes and longer intervention durations are needed to determine whether the observed glycation changes persist and to better evaluate long-term safety. Investigating potential synergistic effects between P. harmala and Punica granatum components may also provide further insight into their metabolic impact.