Hyperglycemic and Hypoglycemic Herbs

Summary

Herbal Antidiabetics

introduction:
The NAPRALERT database lists over 1200 species of plants representing 725 genera in 183 families extending from the marine algae and fungi with antidiabetic activity. Over half these have been used ethnopharmacologically in traditional medicine as antidiabetics, and some 50% of these traditional remedies have been studied experimentally. The importance of antidiabetic plants in the development of economic and effective treatment for diabetes, currently estimated to affect over 30 million people worldwide, has been recognized by the World Health Organization.

Assay methods used to screen plants for hypoglycemic activity are varied and not directly comparable. In vivo techniques include animals with normoglycemia or induced hyperglycemia (alloxan, streptozotocin, various hormones, or surgery) as well as diabetic human subjects.

chemistry of herbal antidiabetics:
Natural compounds with antidiabetic activity, in descending frequency of occurrence, include complex carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycopeptides, terpenoids, peptides and amines, steroids, flavonoids, lipids, coumarins, sulfur compounds, inorganic ions and others.

The antidiabetic mechanisms involved in hypoglycemic activity are numerous, including direct competitive antagonism with insulin, stimulation of insulin secretion, stimulation of glycogenesis and hepatic glycolysis, adrenomimeticism, pancreatic beta cell potassium channel blockers, cAMP (2nd messenger) stimulation, modulation of glucose absorption from the gut, among others. Hypoglycemic constituents may be present with hyperglycemic constituents in the same species.
(Marles RJ, Farnsworth N. Prot.J Bot Med 1996;1(3):85-135; World Health Organization: Diabetes mellitus: Report of a WHO Study Group, 1985.)

For clarity, Interactions lists separately those hypoglycemic herbs likely to be encountered by physicians, pharmacists and healthcare professionals due to their known efficacy and ready availability to Western consumers.

overview of interactions:
• herbs affecting drug performance: Oral Hypoglycemics, Sulfonylureas

• herbs affecting drug performance and toxicity: Insulin

• herbal synergy: Herb Group: Pharmacokinetic: GI Modifiers: Hydrocolloids

• herbal concern: Hyperglycemics



Herbs

herbs affecting drug performance: Oral Hypoglycemics, Sulfonylureas

herbs affecting drug performance and toxicity: Insulin

• herbal concern: Antidiabetic plants have often been used by practitioners of herbal medicine in treating individuals with non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes. In such cases patient response must be carefully monitored and significant benefit can be gained from such therapies. However, the use of such herbs by type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetics can be hazardous and requires that such patients carefully monitor their blood sugar to prevent hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes. Consultation with the prescribing physician is necessary and an integrative management of the case by conventional and herbal practitioners working together would be preferred. The shared goal would be to regulate the dosage of both types of medication and enable a smooth transition to lower dependence on insulin in cases where such is desirable and attainable. While hypoglycemic herbs may offer promise in the treatment of diabetes in their combined effect with insulin, treatment is inherently disruptive and extreme caution must be exercised in order to promote a smooth transition, maintain suitable blood sugar levels and avoid insulin shock.

herbal synergy: Herb Group: Pharmacokinetic: GI Modifiers: Hydrocolloids

herbal concern: Hyperglycemics

• herbal concern: The number of herbal agents that are hyperglycemic is relatively small and unlikely to cause interaction issues. Hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic constituents may be present in the same species, e.g., Allium sativum (Garlic).

Principal antidiabetic herbs in common use:
• Allium cepa (Onion bulbs)
• Allium sativum (Garlic cloves)
• Anacardium occidentale (Cashew leaves)
• Arctium lappa (Burdock roots)
• Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar Periwinkle leaves)
• Cuminum cyminum (Cumin seed)
• Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng)
• Galega officinalis (Goat’s Rue seeds)
• Gymnema sylvestre (Gymnema leaves)
• Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon fruit)
• Olea europaea (Olive leaves)
• Oplopanax horridum (Devil’s Club root bark)
• Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pear stems and fruit)
• Panax ginseng (Chinese Ginseng root)
• Phaseolus vulgaris (Kidney bean, immature pods)
• Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion plant)
• Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek seeds)
• Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle plant)
• Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry leaves)

Less commonly used antidiabetic herbs:
• Adiantum capillus-veneris (Adiantum plant)
• Anacardium occidentale (Cashew leaves)
• Andrographis paniculata (Kirata leaf)
• Arctium lappa (Burdock roots)
• Argyreia cuneata (Rivea leaves)
• Atriplex halimus (Salt Bush leaves)
• Bidens pilosa (Aceitilla plant)
• Blighia sapida (Akee Apple seeds)
• Brassica oleracia (Cabbage)
• Cecropia obtusifolia (Guarumo leaves and stem)
• Coccinia grandis (Coccinia roots)
• Coccinia indica (Ivy gourd)
• Corchorus olitorius (Jute leaves)
• Coutarea latiflora (Copalchi root bark)
• Cucumis sativus (Cucumber fruit)
• Cuminum cyminum (Cumin seed)
• Hordeum vulgare (Barley sprouts)
• Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal root)
• Hygrophila auriculata (Barleria plant)
• Inula helenium (Elecampane root)
• Lagerstroemia speciosa (Lagerstroemia leaves and ripe fruit)
• Lupinus albus (Lupin seeds)
• Lycium barbarum (Box Thorn leaves)
• Lycopus virginicus (Bugleweed plant)
• Morus spp (Mulberry leaves)
• Musa sapientum (Banana flowers and roots)
• Nymphaea lotus (Lotus roots)
• Ocimum sanctum (Sacred Basil plant)
• Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose leaf)
• Polygonatum multflorum (Solomon’s Seal root)
• Psittacanthus calyculatus (Injerto flowers, leaves, and stem)
• Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumach leaves)
• Salpianthus arenarius (Catarinita flowers)
• Sarcopoterium spinosum (Thorny Burnet root bark)
• Scoparia dulcis (Sweet Broom plant)
• Securinega virosa (Fluggea seeds)
• Spinacea oleracea (Spinach leaves)
• Syzygium jambolanum (Jambul seeds)
• Tecoma stans (Tronadora leaves)
• Tinospora cordifolia (Gulancha plant)
• Triticum sativum (Wheat leaves)
• Turnera diffusa (Damiana leaves)
• Zea mays (Corn silk)

Common herbs with hyperglycemic activity:
• Apium graveolens (Celery seed)
• Bupleurum falcatum (Bupleurum)
• Centella asiatica (Gotu kola)
• Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)

Please read the disclaimer concerning the intent and limitations of the information provided here.
Do not rely solely on the information in this article.

The information presented in Interactions is for informational and educational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, case reports, and/or traditional usage with sources as cited in each topic. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals and different individuals with the same medical conditions with the same symptoms will often require differing treatments. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with conventional medical therapies, including prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications, is also available. Consult your physician, an appropriately trained healthcare practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health concern or medical problem before using any herbal products or nutritional supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications and/or before attempting to independently treat a medical condition using supplements, herbs, remedies, or other forms of self-care.


References

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. Second edition., Sandy, OR: Eclectic Institute Inc, 1998.

Marles RJ, Farnsworth N. Antidiabetic Plants and their Active Constituents: An update Prot.J Bot Med 1996; 1(3):85-135.

World Health Organization: Diabetes mellitus :Report of a WHO Study Group. WHO Technical Report Series 727. Geneva: WHO, 1985.