Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome that is characterized by hyperglycemia, change in the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, and in the long term, with eye, kidney, cardiovascular, and neurological complications. Plenty of plants from different regions of the world have been investigated for anti-diabetic effects. This review article was designed to report some of the most important medicinal plants with hypoglycemic properties according to reliable clinical and laboratory evidence, and also touched on the medicinal plants that are prescribed in Iranian traditional medicine, for the treatment of diabetes. The information in this review was obtained from the eligible articles retrieved using the search terms diabetes mellitus, medicinal plants, type 1 diabetes and medicinal plants, type 2 diabetes and medicinal plants, and the effect of extract and essential oil of medicinal plants affecting diabetized tissues in the human body indexed in databases such as Iran medex, Irandoc, ISI, PubMed, Scopus, SID, Magiran, Google Scholar, etc. Based on the results drawn in this review the plants, Urtica, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Allium sativum, Carthamus tinctorius, Ferula assa-foetida, Bauhinia, Gymnema sylvestre, Swertia, Combretum, Sarcopoterium, Liriope, Caesalpinia bonduc, Coccinia grandis, Syzygium cumini, Mangifera indica, Momordica charantia, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Pterocarpus, Tinospora cordifoli, Salvia officinalis, Panax, Cinnamomum verum, Abelmoschus moschatus, Vachellia nilotica, Achyranthes, Fabaceae, Mentha, Asphodelaceae, Andrographis paniculata L, Artemisia herba-alba, Artemisia dracunculus, Azadirachta indica, Caesalpinioideae, Pachira aquatic, Gongronema latifolium, Nigella Sativa, Tinospora cordifolia (guduchi), Chrysanthemum morifolium, Zingiber zerumbet, Symphytum, Cactaceae, Symplocos, Perilla frutescens, Terminalia chebula and Aloe vera are effective to controland treat diabetes.


Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome that is characterized by hyperglycemia, change in the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins 1. Diabetes mellitus is the most common chronic and metabolic disease characterized by an increase in glucose levels due to absolute or relative insulin deficiency. The disease is associated with eye, renal, cardiovascular, and neurological complications in the long term. This disease is also associated with symptoms such as polyuria, fatigue, weight loss, delayed wound healing, blurred vision, increases in urine glucose levels, etc. 234. Destruction of beta-cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas and consequently development of insulin-dependent diabetes is one of the impairments of the regulation of the immune system. Several environmental and genetic factors affect the immune system, leading to the attack of lymphocytes, especially lymphocytes, and pancreatitis. This inflammatory response may cause insulitis and diabetes 56. There are currently more than 150 million people with diabetes across the globe, which seems to reach 300 million by 2025 7. In the absence of proper treatment, cardiac, vascular, neurological, and renal damage and neuropathy may occur. Treatment includes diet, exercise, and medication 8. Currently, the main and effective treatment for diabetes is the use of insulin and hypoglycemic drugs, but these compounds also have many adverse side effects 9. Medicinal plants have a long history of usage and today, they are being extensively used for various diseases 1011121314. There are several reasons for increasing the use of medicinal plants. Many plants from different parts of the world have been investigated for antidiabetic effects. This review article reported some of the most important medicinal plants with hypoglycemic properties according to reliable clinical and laboratory evidence, and also touched on the medicinal plants that are prescribed, in Iranian traditional medicine, for the treatment of diabetes.

Materials and methods

The information in this review was obtained from the eligible articles retrieved using the search terms diabetes mellitus, medicinal plants, type 1 diabetes and medicinal plants, type 2 diabetes and medicinal plants, and the effect of extract and essential oil of medicinal plants affecting diabetized tissues in the human body indexed in databases such as Iran medex, Irandoc, ISI, PubMed, Scopus, SID, Magiran, Google Scholar, etc.

Results

Based on the results drawn in this review the studies, Urtica, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Allium sativum, Carthamus tinctorius, Ferula assa-foetida, Bauhinia, Gymnema sylvestre, Swertia, Combretum, Sarcopoterium, Liriope, Caesalpinia bonduc, Coccinia grandis, Syzygium cumini, Mangifera indica, Momordica charantia, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Pterocarpus, Tinospora cordifoli, Salvia officinalis, Panax, Cinnamomum verum, Abelmoschus moschatus, Vachellia nilotica, Achyranthes, Fabaceae, Mentha, Asphodelaceae, Andrographis paniculata L, Artemisia herba-alba, Artemisia dracunculus, Azadirachta indica, Caesalpinioideae, Pachira aquatic, Gongronema latifolium, Nigella Sativa, Tinospora cordifolia (guduchi), Chrysanthemum morifolium, Zingiber zerumbet, Symphytum, Cactaceae, Symplocos, Perilla frutescens, Terminalia chebula and Aloe vera are effective to control and treat diabetes. The names, families, and used parts of the medicinal plants are summarized in Table 1Table 2Table 3Table 4Table 5. The mechanism of the effect of these drugs is shown in Table 6Table 7.

Table 1.

Medicinal herbs and therapeutic information in diabetes

No. Scientific Name Part of plant Family Name Common Name Origin of plant Countryof study Year Result Reference
1 URTICA DIOICA(U. dioica) Leaves Urticaceae stinging nettle It is native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa Bangladesh In vivo2009 Aqueous extract of U. dioica leaf improved the glycemia levels in type 2 diabetic rats, which is mediated by the central effect on the functional status of pancreatic beta-cells. 15
2 Trigonella foenum graecum Seed Fabaceae fenugreek Indian Iran In vivo2005 15 grams of powdered fenugreek prescribed to patients with type II diabetes is reduced Darqndkhvn sense. 16
3 Carthamus tinctorius Flower Compositae Safflower India, the United States and tonnes and Kazakhstan Iran In vivo 2016 The hydroalcoholic extract of C. tinctorius flower can be used to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The phytochemical analyses of C. tinctorius flower show that it is a rich source of flavonoids, such as quercetin and kaempferol, that are the causes of antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects of these compounds. 17
4 Ferula assa-foetida Gum Apiaceae Asafoetida Iran and Afghanistan Iran In vivo 2016 Due to the presence of antioxidant compounds, F. assafoetida gum can reduce the amount of free radicals in the cell and stimulate the synthesis and secretion of insulin in type 2 diabetes, and hyperplasia of residual pancreatic cells and reduce glucose in the blood. 18
5 Bauhinia forficata Leaf Leguminosae Brazilian orchid tree Argentina, Brazil and Peru India In vitro2010 After 31 days of treatment with decoction, in the type 2 diabetic group, plasma glucose and urinary glucose levels significantly decreased. 19
6 Gymnema sylvestre Leaf Asclepiadaceae cowplant, central India and Sri Lanka India In vitro 2010 The G. sylvestre crude extracts and the compound isolated from it, dihydroxy gymnemic triacetate, exhibit hypoglycemic effect in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in dose- and time-dependent manner. 18

Table 2.

Medicinal herbs and therapeutic information in diabetes (Table 1 continued)

No. Scientific Name Part of plant Family Name Common Name Origin of plant Country Of study year Result Reference
7 Swertia punicea Whole plant Gentianaceae Swertia much of Eurasia and western North America India In vitro 2010 The action mechanism of hypoglycemic effect of S. punicea was confirmed by the improvement of insulin resistance in the mice with diabetes. 18
8 Combretum Micranthum Leaves Combretaceae known as kinkeliba in Benin,Senegal and known as ‘geza’ in Hausa Africa India In vitro 2010 The hypoglycemic activity of this plant’s extract was tested by using glucose tolerance and fasting blood sugar assessment in normal rats. The aqueous extract of C. micranthum leaf was has potential antidiabetic property for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. 18
9 Sarcopoterium spinosum Root Rosaceae S. spinosum southeast Mediterranean region India In vitro 2010 The aqueous extract of S. spinosum root may produce antidiabetic effect on progressive hyperglycemia in genetically diabetic mice. The aqueous root extract of the plant shows insulin-like actions in targets tissues. 18
10 Liriope spicata Leaves Liliaceae monkey grass East Asia and china India In vitro 2010 The aqueous extract of the plant caused a marked decrease of fasting blood sugar level and a significant improvement of glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic mice, confirming its hypoglycemic effects. 18
11 Caesalpinia bonducella Seeds Caesalpiniaceae Gray Nicker india India In vitro 2007 The aqueous and 50% ethanolic extracts of C. bonducella seed showed antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities in streptozotocin-diabetic rats .Both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed potent hypoglycemic activity in chronic type II diabetic models. the antihyperglycemic action of the seed extracts may be due to the blockage of glucose absorption. 19
12 Coccinia indica Leaves and shoots Cucurbitaceae Gourd Worldwide India In vitro 2007 Oral administration of 500 mg/kg of C. indica leaf produced significant hypoglycemic effects in alloxan-diabetic dogs and increased glucose tolerance in both normal and diabetic dogs. 19

Table 3.

Medicinal herbs and therapeutic information in diabetes (Table 1 continued)

No. Scientific Name Part of plant Family Name Common Name Origin of plant CountryOf study Year Result Reference
13 Syzygium cumini Seeds Myrtaceae Jambolan Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia India In vitro 2007 The extract of jamun pulp showed hypoglycemic activity in streptozotocin-diabetic mice within 30 min of administration while the seed of the same fruit needed 24 h. These extracts also inhibited insulinase activity in the liver and kidney. 19
14 Mangifera indica Leaves Anacardiaceae mango in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan India In vitro 2007 The results indicated that aqueous extract of M. indica has hypoglycemic activity. This may be due to a reduction in the intestinal glucose absorption. 19
15 Momordica charantia Fruit pulp, seed, leaves and whole plant Cucurbitaceae bitter gourd grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean India In vitro 2007 Ethanolic extracts of M. charantia (200 mg/kg) showed an antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effect in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats.This may be because of inhibition of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1, 6-biphosphatase in the liver and stimulation of hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities. 19
16 Salvia nemorosa Aerial part Lamiacea s.nemorosa central Europe and Western Asia Iran In vitro1387 These aerial parts of the plant that contain megastigmane glycoside and salvionoside cause a significant increase in insulin levels in diabetic rats compared to healthy rats, and is also responsible for intense insulin activity. 20
17 Ginseng Roots, stalk, leaves,and berries Araliaceae Asian ginseng North America and in eastern Asia China Invitro2011 Ginseng significantly decreased insulin resistance and fasting blood glucose (FBG) in T2DM patients. among 30 cases of T2DM treated with Renshen tangtai, an injection contained Ginseng polypeptide and polysaccharides; 86.7% of the patients showed appreciable effect on diabetic symptoms. 21
18 Momordica charantia Fruit Cucurbitaceae bitter melon Asia China Invivo2011 Bitter melon lowered fasting and postprandial serum glucose levels in T2DM patients. Bitter melon exerted a antihyperglycemic Effect by inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), activation of AMPK, increase of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) expression, promotion of the recovery of beta cells And insulin-mimicking action. 21

Table 4.

Medicinal herbs and therapeutic information in diabetes (Table 1 continued)

No. Scientific Name Part of plant Family Name Common Name Origin of plant Country Of study year Result Reference
19 Trigonella foenum-graecum Leaves Fabaceae Fenugreek Near East andIndian China In vivo2011 Combined therapy of total saponins ofFenugreek with sulfonylureas hypoglycemic drug lowered the blood glucose level and ameliorated clinical symptoms in 46 cases of T2DM compared with 23 cases of controls. 21
20 Allium sativum Bulb Amaryllidaceae Garlic central AsiaAfrica, and Europe. China In vivo2011 Garlic had antihyperglycemic and antihyper-Lipidemic Effect in T2DM patients . In the 4-week double-blinded placebo-controlled study in 60 T2DM patients, Garlic lowered FBG. Garlic improved glycemic control through increased insulin secretion and enhanced insulin sensitivity 21
21 Cinnamon WholePlant Lauraceae Cinnamomum verum Asia and Africa China Invivo2011 cinnamon in the diet of patients with T2DM would reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Cinnamon lowered hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) by 0.83% compared with usual care alone lowering HbA1C by 0.37% in patients with T2DM in a randomized, controlled trial. 21
22 Dendrobium chrysotoxum aerial parts orchidaceae Golden-bow Dendrobium native to Southeast Asia, China In vivo and in vitro2014 DC alleviated the increased 1 and phosphorylated p65, I𝜅B, and I𝜅B kinase (IKK) in diabetic rats. Therefore, DC can alleviate DR by inhibiting retinal inflammation and preventing the decrease of tight junction proteins, such as occludin and claudin-1. 22
23 Zingiber zerumbet root Zingiberaceae Bitter ginger Asia and india Taiwan In vitro Zingiber zerumbet 'rhizome ethanol extracts (ZZRext) After three months of diabetes, the weight gain in STZ-diabetic rats was significantly less when compared with normal rats, and the blood glucose levels were significantly higher The reduction in body weight was not obvious in STZ-diabetic rats receiving ZZRext during the experimental period. 23
24 Kaempferia parviflora root Zingiberaceae (KP) or Krachaidum belongs orThai ginsengs in Thailand Thailand In vitro2017 KP ( Kaempferia parviflora )treatment demonstrated a significant recovery of sexual behaviour and serum testosterone levels in diabetic rats. 24

Table 5.

Medicinal herbs and therapeutic information in diabetes (Table 1 continued)

No. Scientific Name Part of plant Family Name Common Name Origin of plant CountryOf study Year Result Reference
25 Opuntia megacantha leaves Cactaceae culinary South Africa andSouth America Zimbabwe 1999invitro Administration of the leaf extract was also associated with an increased GFR in STZ-diabetic rats. although the rate was unaltered in non-diabetic rats. 25
26 Symplocos coccinea Seed and leaves Symplocaceae endemic to Mexico India Invitro2014 But SCE (hydroethanol Extract of Symplocos cochinchinensis) Administration resulted in a lower plasma level of urea and creatinine in treated groups compared to the diabetic control group This Shows protective property of SCE Against renal damage. 26
27 perilla Leaves Lamiaceae "perilla" America and Asia and Europe Japan In vivo2005 The flavonoid luteolin from perilla luteolin treatment prevented the development of diabetic nephropathy by significantly lowering BUN and creatinine in diabetic animals. This could be explained that there was increased clearance of blood urea and creatinine by the kidney or that there was decreased protein degradation. Moreover, luteolin also prevented the increase in 24-h urea protein in diabetic rats. 27
28 Allium sativum Seed Amaryllidaceae Garlic China and common seasoning worldwide. Iran Invitro2016 Garlic extract has the opposite effect on the renal function markers and histopathology of diabetic rats. Since hyperglycaemia causes the diabetic complications, compounds that have hypoglycaemic effects can be effective in reducing of diabetic complications such as renal dysfunction. 28
29 Terminaliachebula seeds Combretaceae chebulic myrobalan South Asia from India and Nepal east to southwest China Canada Invitro2006 T. chebula is more effectively inhibited the incidence of diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is mainly associated with excess urinary albumin excretion, abnormal renal function as represented by an abnormality in serum creatinine. 29
30 Aloe vera . Burm leaf Asphodelaceae Aloe vera around the world Turkey Invitro2003 the function and structure of kidney may be affected by changes in the levels of insulin Diabetic kidney exhibits characteristic changes leadin to renal insufficiency or complete kidney failure. The major alteration was observed especially in the proximal tubules of the kidney tissue in the diabetic animals. The rupturing of the brush border, shows that the structural integrity of the membrane was disrupted. 30

Table 6.

Antidiabetic mechanism activity of medicinal herbs

Scientific Name Mechanism Ref.
URTICA DIOICA(U. dioica) The aqueous UD extract plays an important role by improving the morphology and / or function of beta cells. Preventing damage to beta-cell cells, repair damaged beta cells, rebuilding new cells, and stimulating insulin secretion in functional cells is one of the mechanisms of action of the extract of this plant 15
Trigonella foenum graecum The therapeutic effect of fenugreek seed on diabetes is at least partly due to the direct stimuli of an amino acid called hydroxysolecuine-4 on insulin secretion from beta cells. Following cell damage, the activity of Ca ATPase and Na / K ATPase pumps decreases the consumption of fenugreek seeds by reducing the free radicals, eliminating these disorders. 16
Carthamus tinctorius The rich source of flavonoids, such as quercetin and camphorol, is linked to its antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity. 16
Ferula assa-foetida Due to the presence of antioxidant compounds, gum can reduce the amount of intracellular free radicals and stimulate the synthesis and secretion of insulin or hyperplasia of the remaining beta cells in the pancreas. Anthoczone gum may reduce blood glucose by stimulating the synthesis and secretion of insulin and hyperplasia of the remaining beta pancreatic beta cells. 17
Bauhinia forficata It is rich in polyphenolic antioxidant compounds, flavonoids, which reduce blood glucose by increasing insulin secretion and inducing glucose transfer through insulin-dependent pathways. 17
Gymnema sylvestre Gymnemic acid molecules have a receptor on the surface of the outer layers of the intestine that prevents the absorption of sugar molecules by the intestine, which leads to a decrease in blood sugar levels. 18
Swertia punicea The mechanism of action of the Swertia Punicea Glucose Reducing Effect by Improving Insulin Resistance, which increases the absorption and secretion of insulin. 18
Combretum Micranthum Stimulates the synthesis and secretion of insulin or hyperplasia of the remaining beta cells in the pancreas. 18
Sarcopoterium spinosum The blue extract of the root of the Sarcopoterium spinosum plant exhibits activity similar to insulin. 18
Liriope spicata Increases insulin secretion and absorption, and improves glucose tolerance in the body. 30
Caesalpinia bonducella Increases insulin secretion from pancreatic islets. The anti-hyperglycaemic effect of the plant's extracts may be due to blockage of glucose uptake 19
Coccinia indica These extracts lowered the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzyme activity and reconstituted glucose 6-phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase, which increased in diabetic patients without treatment 19
Syzygium cumini The cAMP content increases langerhans, which is associated with increased insulin production. This role plays a role in converting perinsulin to insulin with increased activity of catepsin. It increases the activity of insulin and inhibits the activity of Na / K ATPase from the patient's erythrocytes. 19
Mangifera indica This may be due to decreased intestinal absorption of glucose. 19

Table 7.

Antidiabetic mechanism activity of medicinal herbs (Table 1 continued)

Scientific Name Mechanism Ref.
Momordica charantia It inhibits glucose 6-phosphatase in addition to fructose-1, 6- bis-sepsfatase in the liver and stimulates glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase 19
Salvia nemorosa Inhibiting insulin secretion in response to glucose stimulation, the plant inhibits insulin resistance. 20
Ginseng Ginseng has a blood glucose-lowering effect that stimulates insulin secretion, protects pancreatic islets, stimulates glucose uptake, and increases insulin sensitivity. 21
Momordica charantia Bitter melon increases the anti-hyperglycemic effects by inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), activating AMPK, increasing the expression of type 4 glucose (GLUT4), enhancing beta cellularity and insulin effects. 21
Trigonella foenum-graecum Its antihyperglycaemic mechanisms were associated with increased insulin secretion, increased insulin sensitivity, and inhibition of digestion and intestinal carbohydrate intake. 21
Allium sativum These effects are mainly caused by repair of insulin responses and inhibition of glucose intestinal absorption. These effects of the pancreas β result in stimulation of insulin secretion from the cells. 21
Cinnamon Lowering effects work by promoting insulin secretion, increased insulin sensitivity, and increased glucose elimination. Also, cinnamon seemed to have insulin-like effects by regulating PTP1B and insulin receptor kinase. 21
Dendrobiumchrysotoxum DC Increases expression mRNA Retina in an intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1 ) , Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) , Interleukin (IL-) 6And IL-1β In diabetic rats . Furthermore, DC Reduction of phosphorylationP65 , IκB And kinase IκB (IKK) In Diabetic Rat A. 22
Zingiber zerumbet Treatment ZZRext Triggers active nuclear activation _B (NF-_B) , As well as expression of the active protein protein kinase protein p38 (MAPK) In the retina of the diabetic . 23
Kaempferia parviflora Extract KP With increasing protein 1 (UCP1) In the fat tissue of coffee in mice and humans, it increases the cost of energy . 24
Opuntia megacanth Reduces plasma concentration Na_ , Simultaneously with the reduction of plasma ions concentration . Leaf extract O. megacantha Significantly increased creatinine and plasma urea concentration A. 25
Symplocos coccinae It increases the activity of aldose reductase and stores glycogen and protein in the muscle. 26
perilla Hyperglycemia effect of Perila leaf growth factor PLE) is derived, at least in terms of reduced glucose uptake, in the small intestine. Improved tolerance to Glucose PLE may be due to direct inhibition of glucose uptake in the small intestine. 27
Allium sativum Garlic stimulates insulin secretion. Effect is by restoration of insulin and inhibition of absorption from intestines and glucose creation. 28
Terminalchebula Due to its significant hypoglycemia, the extract may inhibit the formation of advanced glycosylated products. It is possible to increase the secretion of insulin from beta-lancer cells. 29
Aloe vera. Burm The polyphenols of this plant in the islands β by increasing the stimulation of langerhans cells, more insulin is released, due to the presence of compounds such as flavonoids and glycosides in this plant. 30

Discussion

Diabetes is a condition that is characterized by high blood sugar levels. Millions of people worldwide are affected by the disease. Research on diabetes is ongoing. When a person develops diabetes, insulin deficiency or the body's inability to consume it causes the sugar to remain in the blood instead of reaching the cells and producing energy. This excess amount of sugar in the blood causes the blood sugar level to exceed normal level.

Before the discovery of insulin and hypoglycemic drugs, diabetic patients were treated with medicinal plants and traditional treatments. So far, the positive effects of over 1200 herbal drugs in reducing blood glucose levels or the complications due to hyperglycemia have been established. Each plant may have its own effective component to reduce hyperglycemia. However, these plants have been shown to possess antioxidant activities 313233343536. Oxidative stress is involved in development of diabetes and a lot of other diseases 353637383940. Therefore, these plants, at least in part, impose their anti-diabetic activities through this mechanism. Because oxidative stress is the cause of a wide variety of other disease and these plants have antioxidant activity, hence, they may have beneficial effects on other diseases, too 4142434445. It is noteworthy that these plants due to their antioxidant activities and other mechanisms are able to reduce the toxic effects of toxic agents or other drugs 46. However, they themselves may have toxic effects and might be used with caution 47. More importantly a lot of other plans have antioxidant capacity 484950.

Conclusions

Hence, these plants may also have anti-diabetic activities and/or can reduce diabetes complications.

Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CCBY4.0) which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited.

List of abbreviations

Diabetes: Diabetes mellitus

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Authors’ contributions

All authors searched, studies, reviewed and contributed to the design of the research. All authors reviewed, commented and approved the final draft.

Acknowledgments

The present study was supported by Lorestan University of Medical Sciences. We cordially thank of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

References

  1. ISHIHARA Eriko, MIURA Toshihiro, SHINYA Nobuko, USAMI Masaru. Effect of the water extract of perilla leaves on glucose metabolism in diabetic rats. Suzuka University of Medical Science, Bulletin. 2005; 12 : 79-84 .
  2. Rao Nalamolu Koteswara, Nammi Srinivas. Antidiabetic and renoprotective effects of the chloroform extract of Terminalia chebula Retz. seeds in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. BMC complementary and alternative medicine. 2006; 6 : 17 .
  3. Ziamajidi N., Nasiri A., Abbasalipourkabir R., Sadeghi Moheb S.. Effects of garlic extract on TNF-α expression and oxidative stress status in the kidneys of rats with STZ + nicotinamide-induced diabetes. Pharmaceutical Biology. 2017; 55 : 526-31 .
  4. Antu K. A., Riya M. P., Mishra A., Sharma S., Srivastava A. K., Raghu K. G.. Symplocos cochinchinensis attenuates streptozotocin-diabetes induced pathophysiological alterations of liver, kidney, pancreas and eye lens in rats. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology. 2014; 66 : 281-91 .
  5. Bwititi P., Musabayane C. T., Nhachi C. F.. Effects of Opuntia megacantha on blood glucose and kidney function in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2000; 69 : 247-52 .
  6. Lert‐Amornpat T, Maketon C, Fungfuang W. Effect of Kaempferia parviflora on sexual performance in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic male rats. Andrologia. 2017; 49 : e12770 .
  7. Tzeng T. F., Hong T. Y., Tzeng Y. C., Liou S. S., Liu I. M.. Consumption of polyphenol-rich Zingiber Zerumbet rhizome extracts protects against the breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier and retinal inflammation induced by diabetes. Nutrients. 2015; 7 : 7821-41 .
  8. Yu Zengyang, Gong Chenyuan, Lu Bin, Yang Li, Sheng Yuchen, Ji Lili, Wang Zhengtao. Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl. alleviates diabetic retinopathy by preventing retinal inflammation and tight junction protein decrease. Journal of diabetes research. 2015; 2015 .
  9. M. Das, B.P. Sarma, A.K. Khan, M. Mosihuzzaman, N. Nahar, Ali L., A. Bhoumik, B. Rokeya. The antidiabetic and antilipidemic activity of aqueous extract of Urtica dioica L. on type2 diabetic model rats. Journal of Bio-Science. 2009; 17 : 1-6 .
  10. Huseini H Fallah, Fakhrzadeh H, Larijani B, Samani AH Shikh. Review of anti-diabetic medicinal plant used in traditional medicine. Journal of Medicinal Plants. 2006; 1 : 1-8 .
  11. Salahi Moghaddam. Medical Climatology of Iran. Journal of Army University of Medical Sciences. 2012; 2 : 49 .
  12. Rao M Upendra, Sreenivasulu M, Chengaiah B, Reddy K Jaganmohan, Chetty C Madhusudhana. Herbal medicines for diabetes mellitus: a review. Int J PharmTech Res. 2010; 2 : 1883-1892 .
  13. Bailey C. J., Day C.. Traditional plant medicines as treatments for diabetes. Diabetes Care. 1989; 12 : 553-64 .
  14. F Sadeghzadeh, A Eidi, K Parivar, A Mazooji. Hypoglycemic Effect of Alcoholic Extract of Salvia nemorosa in Normal and Diabetic Male Rats. Pejouhesh dar Pezeshki (Research in Medicine). 2008; 32 : 233-238 .
  15. Xie Weidong, Zhao Yunan, Zhang Yaou. Traditional chinese medicines in treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011; 2011 .
  16. Kavishankar GB, Lakshmidevi N, Murthy S Mahadeva, Prakash HS, Niranjana SR. Diabetes and medicinal plants-A review. Int J Pharm Biomed Sci. 2011; 2 (3) : 65-80 .
  17. Davis S. N.. Goodman and Gilman’s the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics Pergamon Press: NY Giese; 2006.
    Google Scholar 
  18. Islam Dipa, Huque Amdadul, Sheuly, Mohanta Liton Chandra, Das Sadhan Kumar, Sultana Abida, Evena Parvin Lipy, Prodhan U. K.. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Nelumbo nucifera flower in Long-Evans rats. Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology. 2018; 7 : 148-54 .
  19. Rahimi-Madiseh M., Karimian P., Kafeshani M., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. The effects of ethanol extract of Berberis vulgaris fruit on histopathological changes and biochemical markers of the liver damage in diabetic rats. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences.. 2017; 20 : 552-6 .
    PubMed    Google Scholar 
  20. Maideen N. M. Pakkir, Balasubramaniam R.. Pharmacologically relevant drug interactions of sulfonylurea antidiabetics with common herbs. Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology. 2018; 7 : 200-10 .
  21. Kazemi S., Shirzad H., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Recent findings in molecular basis of inflammation and anti-inflammatory plants. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2018; 24 : 1551-62 .
  22. Rahimi-Madiseh M., Heidarian E., Kheiri S., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Effect of hydroalcoholic Allium ampeloprasum extract on oxidative stress, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. 2017; 86 : 363-7 .
  23. Boyle J. P., Honeycutt A. A., Narayan K. M., Hoerger T. J., Geiss L. S., Chen H.. Projection of diabetes burden through 2050: impact of changing demography and disease prevalence in the U.S. Diabetes Care. 2001; 24 : 1936-40 .
  24. Azizi F., Hatami H., Janghorbani M.. Epidemiology and Control of Common Disease In IranEshtiagh Press : Tehran; 2007.
    Google Scholar 
  25. James E.. Graham, Diane G, Stoebner May, Glenn V, Health Related Quality Of Life In Older Mexican Americans With Diabetes. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 2007; 5 : 1-7 .
  26. Jamshidi-Kia F., Lorigooini Z., Amini-Khoei H.. Medicinal plants: past history and future perspective. 2018; 7 : 1-7 .
  27. Asadi-Samani M., Bagheri N., Rafieian-Kopaei M., Shirzad H.. Inhibition of Th1 and Th17 cells by medicinal plants and their derivatives: a systematic review. Phytotherapy Research. 2017; 31 : 1128-39 .
  28. Karami S., Roayaei M., Hamzavi H., Bahmani M., Hassanzad-Azar H., Leila M.. Isolation and identification of probiotic Lactobacillus from local dairy and evaluating their antagonistic effect on pathogens. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation. 2017; 7 : 137-41 .
  29. Rabiei Z., Gholami M., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Antidepressant effects of Mentha pulegium in mice. Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology. 2016; 11 : 711-5 .
  30. Jalaly L., Sharifi G., Faramarzi M., Nematollahi A., Rafieian-kopaei M., Amiri M.. Comparison of the effects of Crataegus oxyacantha extract, aerobic exercise and their combination on the serum levels of ICAM-1 and E-Selectin in patients with stable angina pectoris. Daru : Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. 2015; 23 : 54 .
  31. Bolkent Sehnaz, Akev Nuriye, Ozsoy Nurten, Sengezer-Inceli Meliha, Can Ayse, Okyar Alper, Yanardag Refiye. Effect of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. fil. leaf gel and pulp extracts on kidney in type-II diabetic rat models. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology . 2004; 42 : 48-52 .
  32. Sarrafchi A., Bahmani M., Shirzad H., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Oxidative stress and Parkinson’s disease: new hopes in treatment with herbal antioxidants. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2016; 22 : 238-46 .
  33. Baradaran A., Nasri H., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Erythropoietin and renal protection. Daru : Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. 2013; 21 : 78 .
  34. Setorki M., Nazari B., Asgary S., Azadbakht L., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Anti atherosclerotic effects of verjuice on hypocholesterolemic rabbits. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2011; 5 : 1038-45 .
  35. Shirzad H., Shahrani M., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Comparison of morphine and tramadol effects on phagocytic activity of mice peritoneal phagocytes in vivo. International Immunopharmacology. 2009; 9 : 968-70 .
  36. Asgari S., Setorki M., Rafieian-Kopaei M., Heidarian E., Shahinfard N., Ansari R.. Postprandial hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of Allium hertifolium and Sesamum indicum on hypercholesterolemic rabbits. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2012; 6 : 1131-5 .
  37. Rahimi-Madiseh M., Lorigoini Z., Zamani-Gharaghoshi H., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Berberis vulgaris: specifications and traditional uses. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences.. 2017; 20 : 569-87 .
  38. Rabiei Z., Rafieian-Kopaei M., Mokhtari S., Shahrani M.. Effect of dietary ethanolic extract of Lavandula officinalis on serum lipids profile in rats. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2014; 13 : 1295-301 .
  39. Bahmani M., Sarrafchi A., Shirzad H., Asgari S., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Cardiovascular toxicity of cyclooxygenase inhibitors and promising natural substitutes. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2017; 23 : 952-60 .
  40. Asgary S., Sahebkar A., Afshani M. R., Keshvari M., Haghjooyjavanmard S., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Clinical evaluation of blood pressure lowering, endothelial function improving, hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects of pomegranate juice in hypertensive subjects. Phytotherapy Research. 2014; 28 : 193-9 .
  41. Rabiei Z., Naderi S., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Study of antidepressant effects of grape seed oil in male mice using tail suspension and forced swim tests. Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology. 2017; 12 : 397-402 .
  42. Bahmani M., Sarrafchi A., Shirzad H., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Autism: pathophysiology and promising herbal remedies. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2016; 22 : 277-85 .
  43. Rouhi-Boroujeni H., Heidarian E., Rouhi-Boroujeni H., Deris F., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Medicinal plants with multiple effects on cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2017; 23 : 999-1015 .
  44. Shayganni E., Bahmani M., Asgary S., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Inflammaging and cardiovascular disease: management by medicinal plants. Phytomedicine. 2016; 23 : 1119-26 .
  45. Karimi A., Mohammadi-Kamalabadi M., Rafieian-Kopaei M., Amjad L., Salimzadeh I.. Determination of antioxidant activity, phenolic contents and antiviral potential of methanol extract of Euphorbia spinidens Bornm (Euphorbiaceae). Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2016; 15 : 759-64 .
  46. Heidarian E., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Protective effect of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract against lead toxicity in rat. Pharmaceutical Biology. 2013; 51 : 1104-9 .
  47. Asgharzade S., Rafieian-Kopaei M., Mirzaeian A., Reiisi S., Salimzadeh L.. Aloe vera toxic effects: expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in testis of Wistar rat. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences.. 2015; 18 : 967-73 .
  48. Hajian N., Rezayatmand Z., Shahanipur K.. Preventive effects of Allium hirtifolium Boiss methanolic and aqueous extracts on renal injury induced by lead in rats. 2018; 7 : 155-9 .
  49. Bahmani M., Zargaran A., Rafieian-Kopaei M.. Identification of medicinal plants of Urmia for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 2014; 24 : 468-80 .
  50. Karami S., Roayaei M., Zahedi E., Bahmani M., Mahmoodnia L., Hamzavi H.. Antifungal effects of Lactobacillus species isolated from local dairy products. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation. 2017; 7 : 77-81 .

Comments