Hypoglycemic and Anti-obesity Polyherbal Mixtures

Because of their natural origin and reduced side effects, we are watching worldwide an extensive growth and increased popularity in the field of herbal mixtures. In contrast to synthetic pharmaceuticals based upon single compounds, many medicinal plants exert their beneficial pharmacological effects through synergistic or additive mechanisms of multiple active compounds acting at single or multiple cellular/tissue target sites associated with a physiological/pathological process. These additive or synergistic pharmacological effects are known to reduce or to eliminate side effects associated with the use of synthetic drugs. Synergistic effect of phytochemicals likely has its origin in their functional role in promoting plant survival. For instance, a mixture of active principles having additive or synergistic effects at multiple target sites would not only ensure effectiveness against a wide range of herbivores or phytopathogens but also decrease the chances of these organisms developing resistance or adaptive responses. Despite the growing interest of patients and caregiver on herbal mixtures and despite the extensive body of literature demonstrates that they exhibit higher medicinal effects compared to single plants, a major hindrance in their integration in modern medical practices is lack of scientific and clinical data proving their efficacy and safety. Therefore, there is a need for conducting clinical research in herbal mixtures, developing simple bioassays for biological standardization and pharmacological and toxicological assessments, and developing various animal models for safety evaluation. This chapter will focus on the efficacy, safety, and possible action mechanisms of polyherbal mixtures used in the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and their related diseases.