A STUDY TO ASSESS EFFECT OF MA-UL-SHA’EER (BARLEY WATER) IN INTERMEDIATE HYPERGLYCEMIC (PRE-DIABETIC) SUBJECTS ATTENDING HOSPITALS IN DELHI

Objective: To assess the efficacy of Ma-ul-Sha’eer (Barley water) as a dietary intervention in Intermediate Hyperglycemic subjects. Methods: A hospital-based prospective, pre and post interventional studies, conducted on 40 diagnosed cases of Intermediate Hyperglycemia (Pre-diabetes) as per WHO and ADA criteria at OPD of Majeedia Unani Hospital and A & U Tibbia College and Hospital, Delhi. Results and Discussion: The efficacy of Ma-ul-Sha’eer (Barley water) was mainly observed on blood sugar fasting and HbA1c. The mean value of blood sugar fasting before the intervention was 113.6±6.7, and after the intervention was 103.0±5.4. Paired ‘t’ test was applied to the observations recorded before the intervention and after the intervention. It was observed that t=14.5 (p <0.0001) and were statistically highly significant. The most probable mechanism encountered in reducing blood sugar fasting may be the presence of β-glucan in Ma-ul-Sha’eer. The mean value of HbA1c before the intervention was 6.0±0.21 and after the intervention was 5.4±0.27, Paired‘t’ test was applied to the observations recorded before the intervention and after the intervention. It was observed that t=13.7, p <0.001, and were statistically highly significant, the most probable mechanism encountered in reducing HbA1c may be the presence of β-glucan in Ma-ul-Sha’eer. Conclusion: Ma-ul-Sha’eer (Barley water) has β-glucan acts as a hypoglycemic agent, which could lead to a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar and HbA1c. The results came out statistically extremely significant (p<0.0001). Further research is needed to determine how early interventions should be implemented and sustained. Ma-ul-Sha’eer (Barley water) was also effective in improving the health-related quality of life.