Herbal Science Research - diabetes

Antidiabetic drugs used in Europe prior to the discovery of insulin.

Site Editor — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:11:56 -0700

Antidiabetic drugs used in Europe prior to the discovery of insulin.: Pharmazie. 2007 Sep;62(9):717-20 Authors: Helmstädter A

Many therapeutic agents had been used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus before insulin was discovered and several hundred plants have shown some extent of antidiabetic activity. This study tries to explore which agents were most widely used in Europe in the pre-insulin era. According to the scientific literature and the proprietary drug industry around 1900, more than 100 agents were considered to have hypoglycemic activity. Most of them seem to have been used only occasionally while some others were recommended and marketed to a large extent. Among the medicinal plants, Syzygium cumini (syn. S. jambolanum, Eugenia jambolana), Vaccinum myrtillus and Phaseolus sp. were most common, and other frequently used agents were opium, opium alkaloids, other alkaloids like quinine or Belladonna alkaloids, salicylates, alkaline substances like sodium (bi)carbonate and even strong poisons like arsenic or uranium salts. Syzygium jambolanum seed powder seems to be one of the most intensively studied antidiabetic agents of plant origin.

PMID: 17944329 [PubMed - in process]

[Inhibitors of alpha-amylase from plants--a possibility to treat diabetes mellitus type II by phytotherapy?]

Site Editor — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 05:45:51 -0700

[Inhibitors of alpha-amylase from plants--a possibility to treat diabetes mellitus type II by phytotherapy?]: Wien Med Wochenschr. 2007;157(13-14):320-4 Authors: Melzig MF, Funke I

Antidiabetics of plant origin are in common use. A proof of their effectiveness or their mode of action is often missing. The aim of this work was to review the knowledge about inhibitors of alpha-amylase from plants and to comment on the use in anti-diabetic treatment. Herbal alpha-amylase inhibitors are rarely described in the literature, nevertheless they have the ability to lower postprandial blood glucose level and should be used in the supplementary treatment of diabetes. Important constituents for the inhibitory activity against alpha-amylase are mainly polyphenolic compounds. There is a need for further clinical studies to establish a rational therapy with traditional herbal preparations, especially for the leaves from the blueberry, tamarind, lemon balm and rosemary, the hulls from white kidney beans or green tea extract.

PMID: 17704980 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The effect of cinnamon cassia powder in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Site Editor — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 02:36:09 -0700

The effect of cinnamon cassia powder in type 2 diabetes mellitus.: J Med Assoc Thai. 2006 Sep;89 Suppl 3:S200-5 Authors: Suppapitiporn S, Kanpaksi N, Suppapitiporn S

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder and the incidence of cardiovascular is increased two- to fourfold in its complications. Cinnamon is expected to have some degree of anti-diabetic efficacy without troublesome side effects. The objective of the present study was to investigate the anti-diabetic effect of cinnamon cassia powder in type 2 diabetic patients MATERIAL AND METHOD: Sixty type 2 diabetic patients were randomized either 1.5 g/d of cinnamon cassia powder or placebo. Both groups were in combination with their current treatment (metformin or sulfonylurea) according to single blind randomized, placebo-control trial in a 12-week period. Efficacy was evaluated by HbA1c fasting plasma glucose, Lipid profile, BUN, creatinine, liver function test and adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS: After a 12-week period, HbA1c was decreased similarly in both groups from 8.14% to 7.76% in the cinnamon group and from 8.06% to 7.87% in the placebo group. This was not found statistically significantly different. However the proportion of patients achieving HbA1c < or = 7% was also greater in patients receiving cinnamon compared with patients receiving placebo, nevertheless, it was not found statistically significantly different (35% vs 15%, x2 = 3.14, p > 0.05). No significant intergroup differences were observed in lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose except in SGOT 27.1 (8.75) to 22.1 (5) in cinnamon group and 24.08 (8.5) to 23.63 (8.88) in the placebo group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The cinnamon cassia powder 1.5 g/d did not have any significant difference in reducing fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and serum lipid profile in type 2 diabetes patients who had mean fasting plasma glucose 154.40 +/- 24.72 mg/dl.

PMID: 17718288 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Changes in components, glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid, [...] modify insulin sensitizing and insulinotropic actions.

Site Editor — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:09:32 -0700

Changes in components, glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid, in raw Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, modify insulin sensitizing and insulinotropic actions.: Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2007 Jun;71(6):1452-61 Authors: Ko BS, Jang JS, Hong SM, Sung SR, Lee JE, Lee MY, Jeon WK, Park S

We hypothesized that roasted Glycyrrhizae Radix (Glycyrrhizin Radix Praeparata, GRP) might modify anti-diabetic action due to compositional changes. Then we examined the anti-diabetic effect and mechanism of raw Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR) and GRP extracts and their major respective components, glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid. In partial pancreatectomized (Px) diabetic mice, both GR and GRP improved glucose tolerance, but only GRP enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion as much as exendin-4. Both GR and GRP extracts enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake through peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma activation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Consistently with the results of the mice study, only GRP and glycyrrhetinic acid enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in isolated islets. In addition, they induced mRNA levels of insulin receptor substrate-2, pancreas duodenum homeobox-1, and glucokinase in the islets, which contributed to improving beta-cell viability. In conclusion, GRP extract containing glycyrrhetinic acid improved glucose tolerance better than GR extract by enhancing insulinotropic action. Thus, GRP had better anti-diabetic action than GR.

PMID: 17587675 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Oyster mushroom reduced blood glucose and cholesterol in diabetic subjects.

Site Editor — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 06:03:06 -0700

Oyster mushroom reduced blood glucose and cholesterol in diabetic subjects.: Mymensingh Med J. 2007 Jan;16(1):94-9 Authors: Khatun K, Mahtab H, Khanam PA, Sayeed MA, Khan KA

It has been postulated that mushroom has beneficial effect of lowering blood glucose and cholesterol in diabetic subjects. The literature so far searched and found that there was no published data in this regard. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of reducing blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetic patients. Additionally, this study addressed whether there was any hepatic and renal toxicity of mushroom. This clinical investigation was conducted in BIRDEM hospital from July 2005 to January 2006. Eighty-nine subjects were recruited. Baseline investigations included height, weight, blood pressure (SBP, DBP), plasma glucose for fasting (FPG) and 2-h after-breakfast (2hPG), total cholesterol (T-chol), triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c). Twenty- four days' study constitutes 7-days mushroom, 7-days no mushroom and then 7-days mushroom. Investigations were done at the start and each after every 7-days. Thirty subjects (M / F = 17 / 13) followed to ensure full compliance with the designed protocol for 24 days. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 46.3 (10) years. Mushroom significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, p<0.01; DBP, p<0.05). It also lowered both plasma glucose significantly (FPG & 2-hPG, p<0.001). Mushroom also lowered total cholesterol and TG significantly; whereas, there was no significant change in weight and HDL-c. When mushroom was withdrawn, there were significant increases of DBP, FPG, 2hPG, T-cholesterol and TG, whereas, no significant change was observed in weight, SBP and HDL-c. Restarting mushroom there was again significant reduction of blood glucose, TG and cholesterol. We conclude that mushroom significantly reduced blood glucose, blood pressure, TG and cholesterol of diabetic subjects without any deleterious effect on liver and kidney. The effect of mushroom may be investigated in a large sample for a longer duration to evaluate its efficacy and toxicity.

Antioxidant activity relates to plant part, life form and growing condition in some diabetes remedies.

Site Editor — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:16:24 -0700

Antioxidant activity relates to plant part, life form and growing condition in some diabetes remedies.: J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Apr 24; Authors: McCune LM, Johns T

Selection, collection and preparation of 35 plant species used by traditional healers in the boreal regions of Canada for treatment of the symptoms of diabetes were supported empirically by antioxidant activity of the plants. Because antioxidants fluctuate with growth parameters and environmental factors, these remedies were evaluated in relation to the affect of plant part, life form and growing condition on the level of activity. The parts used here more frequently as medicines were roots and bark. Activity (IC(50)) of the bark extracts used medicinally averaged to 21.38+/-3.84ppm while root extracts used medicinally had an IC(50) of 185.11+/-32.18ppm in a free radical DPPH assay. In contrast the analysis of extracts of overall parts (medicinal or not) in these species found leaves and bark to have the least activity (112.22+/-30.63ppm and 123.02+/-21.13ppm, respectively). The highest activity was found in tree extracts (24.88+/-3.32ppm) as compared to herbs and shrubs, and increased activity was found in plant extracts from growing conditions of decreased water/fertility. The antioxidant activity of these traditional plant remedies have the potential to be partially deduced through environment signals interpreted by the traditional herbalist.

Anti-diabetic activity of Aloe excelsa.

Site Editor — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:00:29 -0700

Anti-diabetic activity of Aloe excelsa.: Cent Afr J Med. 2005 Nov-Dec;51(11-12):115-20 Authors: Gundidza M, Masuku S, Humphrey G, Magwa ML

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Aloe excelsa powder on diabetes. DESIGN: The experiment was carried out in the laboratory on both normal and diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in the rats by using streptozotocin. Thereafter, blood samples were taken from both the normal and diabetic rats and the sugar levels measured by using the Accutrend Alpha blood glucose monitoring kit. SETTING: The experiment was conducted in the laboratory in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Zimbabwe. SUBJECTS: A total of 280 male albino rats weighing 250 g on average were used. They were obtained from the Animal House of the Medical School at the University of Zimbabwe. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reduction in sugar levels. RESULTS: The Aloe excelsa powder produced a dose-dependent reduction in the blood glucose in blood glucose levels. It also compared well with the effect of insulin. CONCLUSION: This study shows that Aloe excelsa has significant activity on glucose levels in rats and this, therefore, confirms the claims by traditional healers that this plant has anti-diabetic effects.

Medicinal plants used in Kirklareli Province (Turkey).

Site Editor — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:04:35 -0800

Medicinal plants used in Kirklareli Province (Turkey).: J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Dec 12; Authors: Kültür S

In this paper, 126 traditional medicinal plants from Kirklareli Province in Turkey have been reported. One hundred and twenty six plant species belonging to 54 families and among them 100 species were wild and 26 species were cultivated plants. Most used families were Rosaceae, Labiatae, Compositae and the most used plants were Cotinus coggyria, Sambucus ebulus, Achillea millefolium subsp. pannonica, Hypericum perforatum, Matricaria chamomilla var. recutita, Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis, Juglans regia, Thymus longicaulis subsp. longicaulis var. subisophyllus, Malva sylvestris, Urtica dioica, Plantago lanceolata, Rosa canina, Ecballium elaterium, Artemisia absinthium, Viscum album subsp. album, Papaver rhoeas, Helleborus orientalis, Cydonia oblonga, Prunus spinosa subsp. dasyphylla, Rubus discolor, Sorbus domestica. A total of 143 medicinal uses were obtained. The traditional medicinal plants have been mostly used for the treatment of wounds (25.3%), cold and influenza (24.6%), stomach (20%), cough (19%), kidney ailments (18.2%), diabetes (13.4%).

Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies.

Site Editor — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 19:03:39 -0800

Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies.: Altern Med Rev. 2006 Dec;11(4):294-9 Authors: Head KA

Peripheral neuropathy (PN), associated with diabetes, neurotoxic chemotherapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/antiretroviral drugs, alcoholism, nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and other etiologies, results in significant morbidity. Conventional pain medications primarily mask symptoms and have significant side effects and addiction profiles. However, a widening body of research indicates alternative medicine may offer significant benefit to this patient population. Alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, benfotiamine, methylcobalamin, and topical capsaicin are among the most well-researched alternative options for the treatment of PN. Other potential nutrient or botanical therapies include vitamin E, glutathione, folate, pyridoxine, biotin, myo-inositol, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, L-arginine, L-glutamine, taurine, N-acetylcysteine, zinc, magnesium, chromium, and St. John's wort. In the realm of physical medicine, acupuncture, magnetic therapy, and yoga have been found to provide benefit. New cutting-edge conventional therapies, including dual-action peptides, may also hold promise.

Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking prescription drugs: a randomised controlled trial.

Site Editor — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 18:59:39 -0700

Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking prescription drugs: a randomised controlled trial.: Br J Gen Pract. 2006 Jun; 56(527): 437-43 Walker AF, Marakis G, Simpson E, Hope JL, Robinson PA, Hassanein M, Simpson HC

BACKGROUND: Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) leaves, flowers and berries are used by herbal practitioners in the UK to treat hypertension in conjunction with prescribed drugs. Small-scale human studies support this approach. AIM: To investigate the effects of hawthorn for hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes taking prescribed drugs. DESIGN OF STUDY: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: General practices in Reading, UK. METHOD: Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 79) were randomised to daily 1200 mg hawthorn extract (n = 39) or placebo (n = 40) for 16 weeks. At baseline and outcome a wellbeing questionnaire was completed and blood pressure and fasting blood samples taken. A food frequency questionnaire estimated nutrient intake. RESULTS: Hypotensive drugs were used by 71% of the study population with a mean intake of 4.4 hypoglycaemic and/or hypotensive drugs. Fat intake was lower and sugar intake higher than recommendations, and low micronutrient intake was prevalent. There was a significant group difference in mean diastolic blood pressure reductions (P = 0.035): the hawthorn group showed greater reductions (baseline: 85.6 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 83.3 to 87.8; outcome: 83.0 mmHg, 95% CI = 80.5 to 85.7) than the placebo group (baseline: 84.5 mmHg, 95% CI = 82 to 87; outcome: 85.0 mmHg, 95% CI = 82.2 to 87.8). There was no group difference in systolic blood pressure reduction from baseline (3.6 and 0.8 mmHg for hawthorn and placebo groups, respectively; P = 0.329). Although mean fat intake met current recommendations, mean sugar intake was higher and there were indications of potential multiple micronutrient deficiencies. No herb-drug interaction was found and minor health complaints were reduced from baseline in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomised controlled trial to demonstrate a hypotensive effect of hawthorn in patients with diabetes taking medication.

A Preadipocyte Differentiation Assay as a Method for Screening Potential Anti-Type II Diabetes Drugs from Herbal Extracts.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 07:14:26 -0700

A Preadipocyte Differentiation Assay as a Method for Screening Potential Anti-Type II Diabetes Drugs from Herbal Extracts.: Planta Med. 2006 Jan;72(1):14-9 Authors: Xu ME, Xiao SZ, Sun YH, Ou-Yang Y, Guan C, Zheng XX

A cell-based method for screening drug candidates from herbal extracts that have possible anti-type II diabetic effects was established. The differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes was used as a sensitive primary indicator of a drug's potential effect on type II diabetes. We established a quantitative method by using a computer image analysis system for assessing the morphological alterations. The assay was validated by screening compounds extracted from Chinese herbs and the known drug rosiglitazone for their capability of modulating PPARgamma gene expression and glucose uptake by adipocytes. Two drug candidates having possible anti-type II diabetic effects were identified. Abbreviations. DMEM:Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium FCS:fetal calf serum RT-PCR:reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction WST:water-soluble tetrazolium PPARgamma:peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor FITC:fluorescein isothiocyanate PI:propidium iodide PS:phosphatidyl serine.

Hypogylcemic activity of aqueous extract of some indigenous plants.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:26:08 -0700

Hypogylcemic activity of aqueous extract of some indigenous plants.: Pak J Pharm Sci. 2005 Jan;18(1):62-4 Authors: Khan B, Arayne MS, Naz S, Mukhtar N

Pakistan is rich in medicinally important plants and has an ancient herbal treatment methods. Our work is based on the study of some indigenous plants which show inhibitory effect of glucose utilization, and are in use as hypoglycemic agent in traditional system of medicine. Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia and Eugenia jumbolana have been shown to possess hypoglycemic activity of varying degree. The results in three different media revealed that, hypoglycemic activity is more prominent in neutral and basic media as compared to acidic medium.

[Clinical observation of Gingko biloba extract injection in treating early diabetic nephropathy.]

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:20:42 -0700

[Clinical observation of Gingko biloba extract injection in treating early diabetic nephropathy.]: Chin J Integr Med. 2005 Sep;11(3):226-8 Authors: Lu J, He H

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract injection (GB) in treating early diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS: Sixty DN patients were divided into two groups, the treated group were treated by GB and Western medicine, and the control group were given Western medicine alone. The study lasted for 4 weeks. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), blood pressure, 24 h urinary albumin excretion (UAE), endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), blood lipids and hemorheology indices were examined before and after the study. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, UAE were significantly decreased (P < 0.01); Ccr, blood lipids and hemorheology indices were all improved after treatment in the treated group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). But in FPG and blood pressure there was no significant change between the treated group and the control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: GB is effective in treating early DN through decreasing urinary albumin excretion rate, regulating blood lipids, improving renal function and hemorheology.

Effects of garlic on dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:15:41 -0700

Effects of garlic on dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.: J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2005 Jul-Sep; 17(3): 60-4 Ashraf R, Aamir K, Shaikh AR, Ahmed T

BACKGROUND: Garlic (Allium Sativum) has been used in herbal medicine for centuries for various ailments. In recent years garlic has been the focus of serious medical and clinical attention because of beneficial effects on several cardiovascular risk factors like reduction of serum lipids, blood pressure and plasma viscosity. There is also wide spread belief among general public that garlic has beneficial effects on cardiovascular system. The purpose of present study was to evaluate the effects of garlic on one of the major cardiovascular risk factors i.e. dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHOD: This 12 week randomized, single-blind, placebo controlled study was conducted on Type 2 diabetic patients with newly diagnosed dyslipidemia (n=70). Patients were selected from Diabetic OPD of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Karachi and were divided into two groups each comprising of 35 patients, they were given tablet garlic (Garlex-Bosch Pharmaceuticals) 300 mg (containing 1.3 % allicin) twice daily and identical placebo tablets respectively. Both groups were given diet and exercise plan. RESULTS: After 12 weeks the garlic treated group (n = 33) had a significant reduction in total cholesterol (-28 mg/dl, - 12.03 % P= <0.001), LDL - C (-30 mg/dl, - 17.99 % P=<0.001) while the placebo treated group ( n=32) had a non significant decrease in total cholesterol (- 2 mg/dl, - 0.9 % p= ns) and LDL-C (-3 mg/dl, -1.6 % p=ns). HDL cholesterol was significantly increased in patients treated with garlic (3.35 mg/dl, 8.81% P= <0.05) compared with placebo group (0.62, 1.6% P= n.s) but there was no significant difference in triglyceride was observed between two groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests possible small short term benefits of garlic on dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients. Garlic significantly reduced serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and moderately raised HDL cholesterol as compared to placebo. Controlled Clinical Trials of longer duration are needed to assess the long term benefit of garlic on vascular and circulatory disease processes.

Antioxidant activity of Crataegus aronia aqueous extract used in traditional Arab medicine in Israel.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 03:56:29 -0700

Antioxidant activity of Crataegus aronia aqueous extract used in traditional Arab medicine in Israel.: J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Oct 3;101(1-3):153-61 Authors: Ljubuncic P, Portnaya I, Cogan U, Azaizeh H, Bomzon A

BACKGROUND: The medicinal use of extracts prepared from plant parts of the genus Crataegus dates back to ancient times. Furthermore, it has been proposed that its antioxidant constituents account for its beneficial therapeutic effects. A decoction of leaves and unripe fruits from Crataegus aronia syn. azarolus (L) (Rosaceae), the indigenous Israeli hawthorn, is used to treat cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and sexual weakness in Arab traditional medicine. PURPOSE: Because laboratory data on the bioactivity of extracts prepared from the indigenous Israeli hawthorn is lacking, we evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials of an extract prepared from leaves and unripe fruits in a variety of cell and cell-free in vitro assays. METHODS: The antioxidant assays measured: (a) its ability to inhibit (i) oxidation of beta-carotene, (ii) 2,2'-azobis(2-amidino-propan) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced plasma oxidation and (iii) iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenates; (b) its ability to scavenge the superoxide (O2-) radical; (c) its effects on the enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO) activity; (d) its effect on the redox state of glutathione (GSH) in cultured Hep G2 cells. In addition, we also evaluated the effects of the extract on cell membrane integrity and mitochondrial respiration in cultured Hep G2 cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Water-soluble extracts inhibited (1) oxidation of beta-carotene, (2) AAPH-induced plasma oxidation and (3) Fe(2+)-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenates. In addition, the extract (4) is an efficient scavenger of the O2- (5) increases intracellular GSH levels and (6) is not cytotoxic. Accordingly, we propose that the therapeutic benefit of Crataegus aronia can be, at least in part, attributed to its effective inhibition of oxidative processes, efficient scavenging of O2- and possible increasing GSH biosynthesis.

Ginseng and diabetes.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 03:47:21 -0700

Ginseng and diabetes.: Am J Chin Med. 2005;33(3):397-404 Authors: Xie JT, Mchendale S, Yuan CS

Ginseng is a well-known medicinal plant used in traditional Oriental medicine. In recent decades, ginseng root has gained popularity as a dietary supplement in the United States. Ginseng has also been commonly used in Oriental medicine to treat diabetes-like conditions. The present review discusses the research on the anti-diabetic effects of ginseng and the possible mechanisms of its anti-diabetic actions.

Are Ayurvedic herbs for diabetes effective?

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 03:28:46 -0700

Are Ayurvedic herbs for diabetes effective?: J Fam Pract. 2005 Oct; 54(10): 876-86 Shekelle PG, Hardy M, Morton SC, Coulter I, Venuturupalli S, Favreau J, Hilton LK

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and synthesize the evidence on the effect of Ayurvedic therapies for diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Systematic review of trials. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We found no study that assessed Ayurvedic as a system of care. Botanical therapy was by far the most commonly studied Ayurvedic treatment. Herbs were studied either singly or as formulas. In all, 993 titles in Western computerized databases and 318 titles identified by hand-searching journals in India were examined, yielding 54 articles reporting the results of 62 studies. The most-studied herbs were G sylvestre, C indica, fenugreek, and Eugenia jambolana. A number of herbal formulas were tested, but Ayush-82 and D-400 were most often studied. Thirty-five of the studies included came from the Western literature, 27 from the Indian. Seven were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 10 controlled clinical trials (CCTs) or natural experiments. Twenty-two studies went on to further analysis based on a set of criteria. Of these, 10 were RCTs, CCTs, or natural experiments, 12 were case series or cohort studies. There is evidence to suggest that the herbs C indica, holy basil, fenugreek, and G sylvestre, and the herbal formulas Ayush-82 and D-400 have a glucose-lowering effect and deserve further study. Evidence of effectiveness of several other herbs is less extensive (C tamala, E jambolana, and Momordica charantia). CONCLUSIONS: There is heterogeneity in the available literature on Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes. Most studies test herbal therapy. Heterogeneity exists in the herbs and formulas tested (more than 44 different interventions identified) and in the method of their preparation. Despite these limitations, there are sufficient data for several herbs or herbal formulas to warrant further studies.

Antidiabetic agents from medicinal plants.

Site Editor — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 10:34:39 -0700

Antidiabetic agents from medicinal plants.: Curr Med Chem. 2006;13(10):1203-18 Authors: Jung M, Park M, Lee HC, Kang YH, Kang ES, Kim SK

Currently available therapeutic options for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, such as dietary modification, oral hypoglycemics, and insulin, have limitations of their own. Many natural products and herbal medicines have been recommended for the treatment of diabetes. The present paper reviews medicinal plants that have shown experimental or clinical antidiabetic activity and that have been used in traditional systems of medicine; the review also covers natural products (active natural components and crude extracts) isolated from the medicinal plants and reported during 2001 to 2005. Many kinds of natural products, such as terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and some others, have shown antidiabetic potential. Particularly, schulzeines A, B, and C, radicamines A and B, 2,5-imino-1,2,5-trideoxy-L-glucitol, beta-homofuconojirimycin, myrciacitrin IV, dehydrotrametenolic acid, corosolic acid (Glucosol(trade mark)), 4-(alpha-rhamnopyranosyl)ellagic acid, and 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylglucose have shown significant antidiabetic activities. Among active medicinal herbs, Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae), Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Leguminoceae), and Trigonella foenum graecum L. (Leguminosae) have been reported as beneficial for treatment of type 2 diabetes.