Conference:
2nd Conference on Biotechnology Research and Applications
Location:
An-Najah, Palestine
Date:
الأحد, سبتمبر 26, 2010
Abstract:
Diabetes has been recognized since ancient times, and its main symptoms were known by the
increased thirst, frequent urination, and tiredness experienced by diabetics (Said et al., 2008).
Two main types of diabetes are known: type I, an auto-immune disease results in extensive
destruction of the insulin-producing cells,
and type II also known as diabetes mellitus,
leads to high blood glucose levels due to defects in insulin action (known as Insulin
Resistance), excessive hepatic glucose production and eventually decreases insulin secretion.
There are several types of glucose-lowering drugs (Modi, 2007), including insulin sensitizers
(biguanides, metformin, thiazolidinediones), insulin secretagogues (sulfonylureas,
meglitinides) and α-glucosidase inhibitors (miglitol, acarbose). Most glucose-lowering drugs,
however, may have side effects, such as severe hypoglycemia, idiosyncratic liver cell injury,
lactic acidosis, permanent neurological deficit, digestive discomfort, headache and dizziness
(Neustadt and Pieczenik, 2008). Hence, it is crucial to search for new drugs that would
potentially have no or less side effects.
Hypoglycemic herbs are widely used as non-prescription treatment for diabetes (mainly type
II) (Saad et al., 2005; Saad et al., 2008; Said et al., 2008). For instance, Palestinian herbs have
been used for hundreds of years either in their crude forms or as herbal teas, syrups, and
powders in treatment and prevention of diverse diseases including diabetes. However,
Palestinian anti-diabetic herbal-based preparations are not well characterized and there
efficacies as well as their potential side effects are not demonstrated in systematic clinical
trials as those of Western drugs. According to recent surveys carried out among practitioners
of Arabic medicine in the Middle East, 26 plant species for the treatment of diabetes mellitus
have been disclosed. This study was aimed at investigating safety and efficacy of one of these
plants that is still in the process of patenting it; herein named HOB.