Effect of bromelain in obese diabetic patients in Iraq

Background: In vitro and in vivo studies, bromelain has been found to reduce obesity.  Objective: Obese patients with type 2 diabetes were studied to evaluate if a dietary supplement (bromelain) might help them lose weight. Methods:  The effects of 8 weeks of bromelain on anthropometric parameters, HOMA-IR, and blood levels of fasting glucose, leptin, IL-6, and TNF-α were studied in this randomized, single-blind, controlled trial conducted in Iraq. 52 obese diabetic patients from Iraq (25 men and 27 women) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: bromelain or control.  During an 8-week study, the bromelain group was given bromelain capsules (500 mg twice daily) in addition to their prior medication, metformin tablets (500 mg three times daily), whereas the control group received metformin tablets (500 mg three times daily).  Results:  In the bromelain group, there was a substantial reduction in BMI, WC, WHR, HOMA-IR, serum leptin, IL-6, and TNF-α levels after the study compared to the baseline. The bromelain group exhibited a significant difference in BMI, WC, HOMA-IR, leptin, IL-6, and TNF-α blood levels when compared to the control group. The blood levels of fasting plasma glucose (FBG) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) did not change compared to the control group.  According to the findings, bromelain may help in the treatment of obesity, improve insulin sensitivity, and exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect in obese diabetic patients, implying that it may be a potential supplemental anti-obesity medication for these individuals who warrant further research.