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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2009; 117(1): 3-5
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1085426
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Herbal Remedy for Diabetes: Two Case Reports

R. N. Kulambil Padinjakara 1 , K. Ashawesh 1 , S. Butt 2 , R. Nair 2 , V. Patel 2
  • 1Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK
  • 2Diabetes and Endocrinology Centre, George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton, UK
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Publication History

received 26.06.2008 first decision 06.08.2008

accepted 06.08.2008

Publication Date:
12 January 2009 (online)

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Abstract

We present case histories of two patients with type 2 diabetes who were taking herbal medicines that was claimed to be effective for the management of diabetes. Both patients had purchased their herbal medicines from India. On chemical analysis, these medicines were found to contain glibenclamide. Here we discuss the use of alternative medicines in the developed world and highlight the problem that adulteration of complimentary alternative medicines with modern medicines can cause in the management of diabetes.

Key words

diabetes mellitus - herbal remedy - adulteration - glibenclamide

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1 Competing interests: none to declare.

Correspondence

Dr. K. Ashawesh

WISDEM Centre

University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire

Coventry

CV2 2DX

Phone: +44/247/696 40 00

Email: k_ashawesh@yahoo.com