Use of household ingredients as Complementary medicines for perceived hypoglycaemic benefit among Sri Lankan diabetic patients; a cross-sectional survey.

Abstract

Background:Biologic based therapies are frequently used as complementary medicines in diabetes. The aim of this study was to identify the commonly used herbal remedies and their preparations in Sri Lankan patients with Type 2 diabetes.Methods:This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study on 220 diabetic patients using herbal remedies for perceived glycemic benefit.Results:All the patients used their regular conventional medications together with herbal remedies. The most commonly used medication was metformin (91.4%). Ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis) was the most commonly used herbal remedy (32%), followed by crepe ginger (Costus speciosus) (25%) and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) (20%). Herbal remedies used less frequently were finger millet (Eleusine corocana) (5%), anguna leaves (Wattakaka volubilis) (5%), goat weed (Scoparia dulcis) (4%), Salacia reticulata (4%), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) (3%) and tree turmeric (Coscinium fenestratum) (0.5%). None of the patients used commercially available over-the-counter herbal products. The common preparations were salads (72.8%), curries (12.8%), herbal tea (6%), and herbal porridges (6%).Conclusion:The practice of using household ingredients as complementary medicines is common in Sri Lanka. Few herbal remedies and their methods of preparation have limited evidence for efficacy. In view of the frequent use by diabetic patients each needs to be documented for reference and scientifically explored about their hypoglycemic potential.

Anti-Diabetic Effects of Leaves of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek): Leads from Preclinical Studies

“…Among the various medicinal plants documented to be of use as a hypoglycemic agent, Trigonella foenum-graecum commonly known as fenugreek in English and methi in various Indian languages is important dietary and medicinal plants [7,8]. The other names are enlisted in Table 1.…”

“…The plant is annual and grows to an average height of two feet. Documents indicate that it is one of the oldest medicinal agents to be used in the treatment of diabetes in the various traditional and folk systems of medicine [8]. The plants were originally native to India and Northern Africa, but are today found growing in other parts of the world.…”

“…The plants were originally native to India and Northern Africa, but are today found growing in other parts of the world. The seeds, maturing in long pods and tender leaves are the plant parts used in various medicinal preparations as well as a spice in Indian curries [8].…”

“…28% mucilage; 22% proteins; 5% of strong smelling, bitter fixed oil [7,9,[11][12][13]. Reports also suggest that fresh fenugreek leaves contain ascorbic acid (220.97 mg/100 g) and β-carotene (19 mg/100 g) [14] and are a rich source of calcium, iron and zinc content [8].…”

“…Fenugreek has been an important medicinal agent in the Indian, Chinese, Arabic, Greek and Latin pharmacopoeia [9]. Historical reports indicate that fenugreek was used in ancient Egypt to incense and to embalm mummies [8]. They were also used to relieve menstrual cramps, reduce abdominal pain, ease childbirth and as a lactagogue to increase milk flow in the mother [9].…”