Insulin resistance improvement and serum metabolomics of Hibiscus esulentus L. in patients with impaired glucose tolerance

Objective. To observe the changes of serum metabolomics in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) treated with Hibiscus esulentus L. (H. esulentus) combined with lifestyle. Methods. Sixty IGT patients were divided into the lifestyle control group (LSD, simple diet control) and the LSD combined with H. esulentus treatment group (OP, daily administration of 20 grams of dried H. esulentus fruit tea) for comparing the blood glucose, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and serum metabolomics 60 days later. Results. There was no statistical significance in the glucose level between the two groups. HOMA-IR in Group OP was lower than Group LSD (1.704 ?1.082 v.s. 2.356?1.185, P=0.030). Serum metabolomics revealed that the levels of d-galactose, d-glucose, turanose, and uric acid in Group OP were significantly lower than those in Group LSD (16.660?3.950 v.s.21.180?2.900, 101.480?40.200 v.s.132.990?36.67, 1.810?1.570 v.s.3.730?2.420, 44.52?15.690 v.s. 67.750?23.470). The levels of lactic acid and conjugated linoleic acid in Group OP were significantly higher than those in Group LSD (3.280?0.510 v.s.2.300?0.750, 6.940?6.060 v.s. 2.140?1.230). Conclusions. H. esulentus combined with lifestyle control can improve insulin resistance and reduce the levels of multiple monosaccharide and blood uric acid in IGT patients. Regulating the metabolism of lactic acid and conjugated linoleic acid may be the potential mechanism for H. esulentus to reduce insulin resistance.