Currently submitted to: JMIR Diabetes
Date Submitted: Aug 5, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Aug 19, 2026 - Oct 14, 2026
(currently open for review)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Randomized controlled trial of Momordica charantia and Channa striata in type 2 diabetes mellitus: effects on AGEs, insulin, and glycemic profile
ABSTRACT
Background:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and increased formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which contribute to insulin resistance and vascular complications. Natural bioactive compounds such as Momordica charantia and Channa striata have been suggested to exhibit antihyperglycemic and anti-glycation properties, yet clinical evidence on their combined effects remains limited.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate whether combined supplementation with Momordica charantia and Channa striata improves glycemic profile, fasting insulin levels, and serum AGEs in patients with T2DM.
Methods:
A double-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 80 patients with T2DM, randomly assigned (1:1) to an intervention group (n = 40) or a placebo group (n = 40). The intervention group received 500 mg standardized Momordica charantia extract plus 500 mg Channa striata powder twice daily for four weeks. The placebo group received matched placebo capsules. Outcomes measured at baseline and week 4 included fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated albumin (GA), fasting insulin, and serum AGEs. Within-group comparisons were analyzed using paired statistical tests, and between-group differences were assessed using independent tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results:
A total of 80 participants completed the study (response rate: 100%). Serum AGEs decreased significantly more in the intervention group compared to placebo (−383.62 ± 408.13 vs. −121.92 ± 341.46 ng/mL; p = 0.003). Fasting insulin levels declined significantly within both groups (p < 0.001), with a greater reduction observed in the intervention group (−10.21 ± 11.85 vs. −4.76 ± 5.05 µIU/mL), although the between-group difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.080). FPG decreased in the intervention group (−18.73 ± 78.12 mg/dL), but changes were not statistically significant within or between groups (p = 0.310 and p = 0.532, respectively). No significant differences were observed in GA levels between groups (p = 0.776).
Conclusions:
Combined supplementation with Momordica charantia and Channa striata significantly reduced serum AGEs and improved fasting insulin levels, indicating early anti-glycation and potential insulin-sensitizing effects. However, no significant improvement was observed in glycemic control over the short intervention period. Longer-duration studies are warranted to confirm these findings and evaluate clinical outcomes. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT07302178; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07302178
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