Documentation of Double and Triple Phytotherapeutic Remedies Against Diabetes Mellitus in Faisalabad City, Pakistan

Abstract

Diabetic mellitus is a major health concern all over the world associated with many functional and structural ailments and is a serious metabolic disorder. Various natural products, plants and herbs have been used effectively for antidiabetic effects. The present study was conducted to know the ethnomedicinal practices (double and triple phytotherapy) for diabetes mellitus by having interviews with qualified herbalists (Hakeems) practising in Faisalabad city, Pakistan. It was revealed that a total of 40 species belonging to 25 families are presently used for the treatment of diabetic mellitus. Among these 4 families (Paparaceae, Convolvulaceae, Asteraceae, and Solanaceae) had two species each, and one family (Moraceae) had three species (Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalansis, and Ficus carica) while another one family (Zingiberaceae) had four species (Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Elettaria cardamomum, and Alpinia galangal) had been successfully used for the treatment of diabetic mellitus. In double therapy, ten out of 15 prescriptions were being used in pulverized form while the others were in liquid form for treatment. In triple therapy, 17 remedies out of 20 were used in powder form while the remaining others were used in mixing with liquid. According to the herbalists both double phytotherapy and triple phytotherapy were successfully used to reduce the sugar level and exerted antidiabetic effects. It was concluded that these plants may have potential ingredients which can be exploited in further studies for the development of an effective drug against diabetes.