title: An ethno-medicinal study of medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes is the greatest public health problem and is considered as the silent epidemic of the 21st century. In Iran, there are approximately 1.5 million diabetic patients. Before the discovery of insulin, medicinal plants were widely used for the treatment of diabetes in Iran.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the indigenous plants used for the treatment of diabetes in Shiraz, southwest of Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured direct interviews were conducted with 25 herbalists to identify medicinal plants used to treat diabetes. Questionnaires were included herbalist personal information, plant local name, growth season, plant parts used, preparation methods, and traditional therapies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The interview data indicated that, 24 medicinal plants from 19 families are used for the treatment of diabetes in Shiraz. The families with most antidiabetic species were Compositae (13%), Rosaceae (13%) and Cucurbitaceae (8%). The most frequently used plant parts were fruits (38%) and the most common preparation method was decoction (62%). For 45% of reported plants, pharmaceutical studies approved antidiabetic effects in animal or humane model of diabetes. RESULTS of this study showed that the plants recommended by Shirazian herbalists have potential antidiabetic effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that the ingredients of indigenous plants be studied to determine therapeutic effects and mechanism of action. If they were safe and effective, they can be refined and processed to produce natural drugs.
authors.affiliation: Madani Heart Hospital, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
authors.forename: Babak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baharvand-Ahmadi
authors.affiliation: Food and Beverages Safety Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahmani
authors.affiliation: Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Pegah
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tajeddini
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Nasrollah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naghdi
authors.affiliation: Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafieian-Kopaei
keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Hypertension; Medicinal plants