Effect of Aloe vera Extract on Depression in People with Prediabetes

Abstract

Background: Depression is one of the major mood disorders that leads to development of type 2 diabetes in pre-diabetic patients . Any intervention s alleviate the symptoms of depression in these patients can significantly help preventing type 2 diabetes. Objectives: The effects of pure extract powder of Aloe vera on depression in prediabetic patients were examined. Methods: A double blind randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 72 prediabetic patients. After sampling the patients were allocated to three groups (Aloe vera 300 Mg (AL300), Aloe vera 500 Mg (AL500) and Placebo (PL). The participants in the two first groups received pure extract powder of Aloe Vera capsules twice a day in the morning and evening for eight weeks . In addition, they completed Beck Depression inventory before and eight weeks sfter the intervention . After confirming the normality of the mean depression score variable by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the data was analyzed using ANOVA, Chi-square, and paired t-test. Results: After the 8th week of intervention, the mean depression scores in the 500 Mg aloe vera (AL500) group decreased significantly (P = 0.033). Conclusions: Aloe vera extract powder (AL500) considerably alleviated depression mean scores in prediabetic patients during an eight weeks period.