The Effect of an Aqueous Extract of Turmeric and a Combination of Chinese Herbs on Glucose Homeostasis

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes is currently in epidemic proportions throughout the world and the prevalence is increasing rapidly worldwide, costing several billion dollars to the world economy every year. If new treatments are found that would be economically viable for third world countries to produce there may be a way of controlling this epidemic. Although the effects of current hypoglycaemic drugs appear to be sufficient and blood glucose levels are normalised initially, they still tend not to stop the micro-vascular effects of the disease and their effectiveness appears to diminish overtime. There has been a recent trend for people to turn to alternative therapies for treatment of their diabetes and also there is a search for new and more effective treatments. Many herbs have been used by various cultures, however, little if any; scientific research has been carried out to show their efficacy and effectiveness. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine which of several culinary herbs, Australian plants and a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicines (Glucostat) might be beneficial in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.