Anca Berbecaru-Iovan 1, G. D. Mogoşanu 2, S. Berbecaru-Iovan 3, F. Gorunescu 4, Cristiana Iulia Dumitrescu 1, Florica Popescu 1
1 Department of Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova
2 Department of Pharmacognosy–Phytotherapy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova
3 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova
4 Department of Mathematics, Biostatics and Informatics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus, the most common endocrine disorder, despite current therapies, has numerous and serious long term complications, leading to signifi cant morbidity and mortality. The traditional methods of treatment of diabetes should be further investigated. A multitude of vegetal remedies have been utilized for the treatment of diabetes throughout the world for many centuries. Phytotherapy offers a valuable opportunity to discover new natural compounds with benefi cial effects on glucose homeostasis, compounds that stimulate insulin biosynthesis and secretion or promote peripheral glucose uptake and utilization. Th e purpose of this study is to investigate the oral hypoglycemic effect of six vegetal products (Cynosbati fructus, Myrtilli folium, Myrtilli fructus, Phaseoli sine seminibus fructus, Trigonellae foenum-graeci semen, Violae tricoloris herba) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Some of these vegetal remedies are used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, but for Cynosbati fructus and Violae tricoloris herba, so far, there is no certitude about the hypoglycemic action. Th is study indicates that the vegetal products used possess hypoglycemic effect, but they are smooth remedies and could off er solutions for the newly discovered patients who only need diet and exercise or as complementary treatment in diabetic patients after initiating pharmacological therapy.