Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Herbal Medicines

The global incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is rising substantially and T1DM remains a marked economic burden despite advances in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of complications. T1DM, often associated with autoimmune disease, is characterized by insulin deficiency and insufficiency due to beta cell destruction. The primary treatment for T1DM is insulin therapy, limited by the risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain. Other treatments for T1DM are teplizumab and donislecel, which have recently received FDA approval. Beyond these treatment options, T1DM patients are interested in non-pharmacological interventions and are willing to use herbal products. Therefore, we reviewed the effects of herbal medicines used for T1DM, including fenugreek, ficus extracts, cinnamon, berberine, silymarin, silibinin, curcumin, resveratrol, catechins, ginseng, olive leaf, allicin, thymoquinone, and mangiferin to understand their level of evidence and associated effects, and their potential for use as antidiabetic agents in the clinic. As a result of our research, the majority of the studies were conducted on diabetic animal models. There are limited clinical studies investigating herbal medicines in T1DM. Studies show that the abovementioned herbal medicines are beneficial in T1DM by lowering glucose levels, increasing insulin levels, and exerting anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pancreas islet β-cell protective mechanisms. However, these studies are insufficient to recommend the use of existing herbs in treating T1DM on a clinical level.