Impact of Rutin and Vitamin C combination on oxidative stress and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Vitamin C alone and in combination with Rutin on the glycemic control, insulin resistance, lipid profile and oxidative stress markers in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled study conducted on 53 type 2 diabetes patients randomized into 3 groups; (group A) 20 received Rutin with vitamin C, (group B) 20receivedvitamin C and (group C)13 received antidiabetic treatment only. Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting insulin, Malondialdehyde, Superoxide dismutase, Lipid profile and patients' quality of life (QOL) using SF-36 questionnaire were assessed in all patients at baseline and after 8 weeks. Results: At baseline, the 3 groups were comparable while FBG was lower in group C versus group A and B (p = 0.0021). After 8 weeks, a significant reduction was observed in % change of FBG in groups A and B versus group C (p = 0.0165, 0.0388 respectively). Low Density Lipoprotien-cholesterol (LDL-c) and Total cholesterol (TC) levels significantly improved in group B versus baseline (p = 0.0239,0.0166 respectively). QOL, physical functioning and energy domains improved significantly in group A versus group C (p = 0.0049, 0.0253 respectively), while role limitation to physical health and to emotional problem improved significantly in group B versus group C (p = 0.0267,0.0280 respectively). Conclusion: Vitamin C supplementation alone or with Rutin significantly reduced the % change of FBG compared to controls but had no effect on HbA1c, FBG,TC, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR or oxidative stress in T2DMpatients. Clinical trial registration number: NCT03437902.