title: Diabetes mellitus and phytotherapy in Turkey.
abstract: This study reports a literature review aimed to analyse various studies related to the use of phytotherapy in diabetes mellitus in Turkey in order to provide additional information for healthcare professionals. The incidence of Diabetes Mellitus is rising and many of the diabetics frequently use herbal treatments along with modern medical treatment for glycaemic control and/or improve their well-being. Several electronic databases (such as Medline and Pubmed) were searched for 1990-2010 period (till May, 2010) and 33 related articles were analysed. Many studies--mostly animal trials- have been conducted in this field. Among the herbs most-commonly used along with modern medical therapies and also in folkloric medicine, we searched for bitter melon, cinnamon, fenugreek, olive leaf, black seed and white mulberry. Studies conducted in this field have produced conflicting results and, the necessity to conduct randomized, placebo-controlled clinical human studies to develop new drugs from herbs, as in the case of metformin, still remains important. Besides, further studies are required to address the issues of standardization and quality control of existing preparations. More importantly, healthcare professionals caring for diabetic patients need to be aware of phytotherapy to incorporate phytomedicine into their practices and should undertake more responsibility in relation to these kind of therapies that are commonly-used throughout the world.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Hospital, Turkey.
authors: Hulya
authors: H
authors: Parildar
authors: Rustu
authors: R
authors: Serter
authors: Erdem
authors: E
authors: Yesilada
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations