<em>Sechium edule </em>var. <em>nigrum spinosum </em>Consumption Has a Hypoglycemic and Antioxidant Effect in Diabetic Elderly

Background/Objectives: Chronic hyperglycemia, characteristic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), promotes the development of complications through oxidative stress. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the antioxidant defenses of diabetic patients, even more so if they are elderly. Sechium edule contains high amounts of flavonoids, cucurbitacins, and phenolic acids, which is why it is attributed hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties, so our aim was to determine the antioxidant and hypoglycemic effect of Schium edule in older diabetic patients. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out in a convenience sample of 33 older diabetic adults: (i) placebo group (PG; n = 14); (ii) experimental group (EG; n = 19). Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipoperoxides (LPO), protein carbonylation (PC), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase enzyme activity were measured at baseline and three months post-intervention. Results: In the EG, a statistically significant decrease in HbA1c was observed (EG baseline 8.9 2.2 post 7.8 2.0), as well as in the oxidative damage markers LPO, PC, TOS and OSI (LPO baseline 0.243 0.067, post 0.222 0.050; PC baseline 29.4 10, post 19.2 6; TOS baseline 6.0 2.6, post 3.1 1.8; OSI baseline 5.7 3.1 post 2.0 1.1); coupled with a significative increase in TAS (baseline 0.94 0.29 post 1.22 0.28), modifications not observed in the PG. Conclusions: Our results suggest that Sechium edule has a hypoglycemic and antioxidant effect in older adults with DM2.