OBJECTIVE: The metabolic effects of an aloe vera gel complex (Aloe QDM complex) 
on people with prediabetes or early diabetes mellitus (DM) are unknown. The goal 
of this study was to determine the effects of Aloe QDM complex on body weight, 
body fat mass (BFM), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin, and 
Homeostasis Model of Assessment - Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) in obese 
individuals with prediabetes or early DM who were not on diabetes medications.
METHODS: Participants (n = 136) were randomly assigned to an intervention or a 
control group and evaluated at baseline and at 4 and 8 wk.
RESULTS: The study lost six participants in the control group and eight in the 
intervention group. At 8 wk, body weight (P = 0.02) and BFM (P = 0.03) were 
significantly lower in the intervention group. At 4 wk, serum insulin level (P = 
0.04) and HOMA-IR (P = 0.047) were lower in the intervention group; they also 
were lower at 8 wk but with borderline significance (P = 0.09; P = 0.08, 
respectively). At 8 wk, FBG tended to decrease in the intervention group (P = 
0.02), but the between-group difference was not significant (P = 0.16).
CONCLUSION: In obese individuals with prediabetes or early untreated DM, Aloe 
QDM complex reduced body weight, BFM, and insulin resistance.