Diabecon and oral hypoglycaemic agents | Control of diabetes with alternative therapy

People with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), can usually control the disease with a suitable diet and oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA) like sulphonylurea and biguanides. However after approximately 10-15 years a stage of secondary failure to OHA is reached and most patients require insulin injections.

A double blind, placebo controlled study was conducted to evaluate Diabecon in patients with secondary failure to OHA. Diabecon is a herbal and mineral formulation manufactured by Himalaya Herbals.

40 patients with type 2 diabetes over 30 years of age and with normal body weight were included in the study. All these patients failed to respond to OHA even in maximal doses of combination therapy i.e. glibenclamide 15 mg plus metformin 1000 mg/day for over 3 months despite good diet control and absence of infections, etc.

2 tablets three times a day for 6 months were administered. The fasting and postprandial plasma glucose measurements were made on a monthly basis while the glycosylated haemoglobin, insulin measurements and C-peptide assay were done at baseline, after 3 and 6 months of the trial. A total of 32 patients completed the trial (17 in the drug treatment group and 15 in the placebo group).

In the Diabecon treated group there was a decrease in both fasting and postprandial plasma glucose levels but only the latter reached statistical significance (p=0.004). There was however an increase in the plasma glucose levels in the placebo group. There was a significant decrease in the glycosylated haemoglobin levels from 9.2 ± 1.2% (p=0.04). In the placebo group there was no decrease in HbA1c levels.

In the Diabecon treated group, the plasma insulin and C-peptide levels (both fasting and stimulated) tended to be maintained, or slightly increased even at the end of 6 months. In the placebo group, however there was a decrease in both plasma insulin and C-peptide levels (both fasting and stimulated). This indicates that Diabecon helps to maintain pancreatic beta cell function. Except for one patient each, who complained of gastritis and skin rash, there were no other side effects.