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.
Keywords: Alloxan, Autoimmune diabetes, Insulin-mimetics, Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Streptozotocin, Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
