The Potential Utility of Aqueous Extract of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni in Adjunct with Metformin in Treating Diabetes Mellitus

Abdel Azim

doi:10.34297/ajbsr.2019.02.000605

Abstract

Extract of leaves from the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni have been used in the traditional treatment of diabetes in Paraguay and Brazil. Stevia is a natural, non-caloric sweetener that is rich in pharmacologically important glycosides. These glycosides have many potential benefits in the management of the complications of diabetes. The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is currently unsatisfactory. Therefore, we investigated the possible effects of stevia on treatment of T2DM when concurrently given with common antidiabetic agents in a trial to provide a safe and effective therapeutic antidiabetic combination.

Highlights

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome have become major public health concern
The results showed a mild decrease in the Blood Glucose Levels (BGL) in metformin treated rats, while in the combination group of stevia extract (300mg/kg) and metformin (250 mg/kg) there is prominent decrease in the mean blood glucose level in comparison to control as shown in (Table 1)
The results indicated that aqueous extract from leaves of stevia rebaudiana, produced a significant long-term reduction in blood glucose levels especially when combined with other hypoglycemic agents, which provide a good control of hyperglycemia in diabetic rats

Summary

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome have become major public health concern. Most diabetic patients consume sweeteners with low calories to decrease their calorie intake. Most artificial sweeteners, such as cyclamates and saccharine, are a source of high calorie sugars and are potential carcinogens [2]. The increased incidence of diabetes and obesity and the growing concern over the safety of some chemical sweeteners such as aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, sucralose, etc., have stimulated the use of natural non-calorie sweeteners [3]. Non-caloric sweetener that is rich in pharmacologically important glycosides. These glycosides have many potential benefits in the management of the complications of diabetes. The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is currently unsatisfactory. We investigated the possible effects of stevia on treatment of T2DM when concurrently given with common antidiabetic agents in a trial to provide a safe and effective therapeutic antidiabetic combination

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion