Published in the Dove Press journal Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obestiy: Targets and Therapy, a new report compared the effects of an aque­ous extract of Phyllanthus emblica (Emblica officinalis, amla) versus those of atorvastatin and placebo on endothelial dysfunction and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes. P. emblica is known for its antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activity.
 
Eligible patients were randomized to receive either P. emblica 250 mg twice daily, P. emblica 500 mg twice daily, atorvastatin 10 mg in the evening and matching placebo in the morning, or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy parameter was the change in endothelial function identified on salbutamol challenge at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary efficacy parameters were changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and glutathione), high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, the lipid profile, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Laboratory safety parameters were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment.
 
Researchers found that subjects treated with P. emblica 250 mg, P. emblica 500 mg, or atorvastatin 10 mg produced significant reductions in the reflection index (−2.25%±1.37% to −9.13%±2.56% versus −2.11%±0.98% to −10.04%±0.92% versus −2.68%±1.13% to −11.03%±3.93%, respectively), suggesting improvement in endothelial func­tion after 12 weeks of treatment compared with baseline. There was a significant improvement in biomarkers of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation compared with baseline and placebo. Further, the treatments significantly improved the lipid profile and HbA1c levels compared with baseline and placebo. All treatments were well tolerated.
 
As a result, the study concluded that both atorvastatin and P. emblica significantly improved endothelial function and reduced biomarkers of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, without any significant changes in laboratory safety parameters.
 
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