The Effects of Rosemary (<i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i>) Leaves Powder on Glucose Level, Lipid Profile and Lipid Perodoxation

Introduction: Various herbs have been used as treatment and prevention for several chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and triglyceridemia; one of those herbs is Rosemary, which has biological antioxidant mechanisms. Rosemary is a thorny Rhamnaceous plant which is widely distributed in Europe and South-Eastern Asia. It’s used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) leaves powder on glucose level and lipid profile in human. Material and Methods: Forty eight adults’ men and women participated in this study which has been carried out in the UOK University. The participants were randomly selected and divided into 3 groups. The first group was given 2 g/day of Rosemary leaves powder, the second group was given 5 g/day of Rosemary leaves powder while the third group was given 10 g/day of Rosemary leaves powder for a period of 4 weeks. Blood samples were analyzed for glucose, lipid profile and antioxidant at the beginning and the end of the study and the results were statistically analyzed. Results: The results indicated that a significant decrease in blood glucose level in the groups given 5 g and 10 g of the herb powder was observed but the difference was more significant in the group given 10 g/day. Values for total cholesterol and triglycerides were very significantly lower in the three treated groups. LDL-C level was significantly lower in the group given 10 g of the herb powder, while the increased levels of HDL-C was statistically significant in the group that was given 10 g/day. With regard to lipid peroxidation, giving 10 g/day of Rosemary leaves powder decreased significantly MDA and GR values whereas significantly increases the values of vitamin C and β carotene. Conclusion: In conclusion Rosmarinus officinalis appears to improve not only hyperglycemia but also dyslipidemia in a dose dependent manner and decreases lipid peroxidation through increasing antioxidants levels and this will reduce the risk of chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease.