Table 1: Summary of different treatment methods used for diabetes.
Treatment Action
Diet, exercise and weight control Controls blood sugar and complications of diabetes.
Medications: oral medications such as Sulfonylureas, Stimulate insulin secretion.
Biguanides: Metformin
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: acarbose and miglitol Thiazolidinediones: pioglitazone Meglitinides: Repaglinide. D-phenylalanine derivative: nateglinide
DPP-4 inhibitors: DPP-4 (dipeptidyl-peptidase 4) inhibitors such as, Saxagliptin and injectable drug: Exenatide. Combination medications: Glyburide combined with metformin.
Biguanides Control liver glucose, improve blood fat and cholesterol levels and enhance glucose utilization by muscles . Helps the pancreas to make more insulin quickly and for a short time.
Control blood sugar levels and increases insulin when blood sugar is high.
Insulin: Regular, NPH insulin, ultra-lente insulin Regulation glucose metabolism.
Aspirin Inhibiting the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase-1
Surgery: - Pancreas transplant
- Islet transplantation
Insulin secretion
Increases synthesis and releases insulin
Integrative therapie- Strong evidence
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) Decreases blood sugar levels and diabetics neuropathy
Good scientific evidence
Beta-glucan, Ginseng: Panax quinquefolius Decreases blood glucose
Chromium Treatment of hypoglycemia
Gymnema: (Gymnema sylvestre) Increases the effects of medications
Magnesium Control blood sugar.
Whey protein Improves the body’s insulin response.
Conflicting scientific evidence
Acupuncture Promising effects on diabetes.
Alfalfa: (Medicago sativa). Unclear if it controls of sugar.
Aloe Useful in diabetes leg wounds and ulcers.
Amylase inhibitors Decreases levels of blood glucose.
Arabinogalactan Affects blood sugar and insulin levels.
Arabinoxylan: MGN-3 Preliminary research is positive.
Arginine, or L-arginine May decrease the severity of diabetes
Ashwagandha May decrease blood sugar levels
Astragalus Hypoglycemic effect
Atkin's diet Carbohydrate-restricted diets
Various herbs treatments
The traditional Cocciniaindica remedy May improve glucose tolerance
herbal tea containing Salacia reticulata Improves glycemic control
Momordicacharantia: Karolla May reduce serum glucose levels
Pancreas Tonic Control glucose (high levels of HbA(1c).
Herb Vijayasar also called Bijaka, Modulates blood glucose levels
Banaba: (Lagerstroemia speciosa) Preliminary effects on diabetes
Barley: (Hordeum vulgare) Glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia.
Beets Affect secretion of gastric hormones
Berberine Aids glycemic regulation.
Bilberry: (Vacciniummyrtillus) May lower blood sugar levels.
Biotin Decreases insulin resistance.
Bitter melon: (Momordicacharantia) Decrease serum glucose levels.
Black tea Decreases blood sugar
Burdock:(Arctiumlappa) root or fruit Blood sugar-lowering effects.
Chrysanthemum: Jiangtangkang May increase sensitivity to insulin.
Cinnamon Conversion of glucose to glycogen.
Dandelion Controls blood sugar.
Devil's club Has hypoglycemic effect.
Evening primrose oil, Fenugreek, Fig, Garlic, Maitake Decreases blood sugar.
Flaxseed Improves insulin sensitivity
Green tea Reduces carbohydrate absorption.
Holy basil May have blood sugar lowering effects.
Honey Helps decrease blood sugar level.
Hydrotherapy Diabetes mellitus support.
Jackfruit insulin intolerance, high blood sugar
Kudzu Improves insulin resistance.
L-Carnitine May increases insulin sensitivity.
Lutein There is insufficient available evidence.
Massage Benefit blood sugar levels injection in sites massage increase insulin absorption.
Supplements: Mycria, Nopal, Onion, Psychotherapy, Soy, Spirulina, Tai chi, Vitamin E, White horehound, Yoga, Selenium Has hypoglycemic properties
Niacin Protective for pancreatic cell function.
Pycnogenol Decreases glucose levels
Qi gong benefit diabetics patients.
Red clover Beneficial in diabetic complications.
Reflexology May help manage type 2 diabetes.
Seaweed Useful for hyperglycemia.
Stevia Increases the effects of blood sugar
Thymus extract Increased remission.
Vitamin D Improves insulin sensitivity
Zinc Glycemic control.
Psyllium Helps modulate blood sugar