Achillea millefolium capsule improved liver enzymes and lipid profile compared to placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background The therapeutic properties of Achillea Millefolium (AM) in regulating blood lipids and liver enzymes have been proven in studies. Considering the abnormal lipid levels and elevated liver enzymes in diabetic patients, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of AM on the lipid profile and serum level of liver enzymes in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients. Methods In this 90-day double-blind clinical trial study, 60 eligible diabetic patients were enrolled and divided into intervention and control (each 30 patients) groups. The intervention group received AM capsules (dose of 500 mg/day) for 3 months, and the control group received placebo capsules during the same period. Blood was taken from patients on day 0 and day 90. The serum levels of liver enzymes and lipid profiles of patients were measured at baseline and on day 90. The obtained values were analyzed and compared between two control and treatment groups and within each group. Results AM oral supplementation caused a significant decrease in alanine aminotransferases (ALT; from 28.79 ± 10.99 to 24.41 ± 6.84, p = 0.017) and aspartate aminotransferases (AST; from 24.28 ± 7.91 to 18.76 ± 6.77, p = 0.007). A significant reduction in the levels of serum lipids such as triglyceride (TG; from 161.7 ± 77.18 to 147.3 ± 66.79, p = 0.045), low-density lipoprotein (LDL; from 98.90 ± 35.67 to 80.86 ± 32.10, p = 0.001), and total cholesterol (TC; from 168.3 ± 47.46 to 150.1 ± 38.77, p = 0.006) was noted in AM group. According to these results, after the intervention, the mean of all variables (except HDL) in the two groups had a significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion The study showed that the 3-month treatment of T2D patients with 500 mg/day AM capsules led to the reduction of liver enzymes and the regulation of blood lipids in them. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20230612058459N1 Registered on 2023–06–24.