Management of type 2 diabetes with Ayurvedic medicines – A systematic review and meta-analysis

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by insulin resistance and insufficient insulin production. In Ayurvedic medicine, diabetes is referred to as Madhumeha, which translates as “sweet urine”. Ayurvedic treatment involves a combination of herbal medicines, dietary changes and detoxifying therapies.

Method

This systematic review and meta-analysis included 199 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 21,191 participants. The studies investigated the efficacy of 98 Ayurvedic medicines in the treatment of T2DM. The primary focus was on the reduction of HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and postprandial blood glucose (PPBG). The studies were conducted over a period of at least 8 weeks.

Results

The meta-analysis showed significant improvements in several Ayurvedic medicines:

Aegle marmelos: reduction of HbA1c by 1.6% and FBG by 56 mg/dl

Allium sativum: reduction of postprandial blood glucose by 10 mg/dl

Aloe vera: reduction of BMI by 2.8 kg/m²

Azadirachta indica: Reduction of HbA1c by 1 % and FBG by 8 mg/dl

Boswellia serrata: reduction of HbA1c by 0.5 % and FBG by 24 mg/dl

Curcuma longa: reduction of FBG by 10 mg/dl and LDL-C by 10 mg/dl

Momordica charantia: reduction of HbA1c by 0.3 % and FBG by 14 mg/dl

Nigella sativa: reduction of HbA1c by 0.4 % and body weight by 4.2 kg

Trigonella foenum-graecum: reduction of HbA1c by 0.6% and FBG by 14 mg/dl

However, the studies reported a lack of method transparency and inadequate reporting of side effects, which were predominantly mild and gastrointestinal in nature.

The results of this review suggest that certain Ayurvedic medicines may be effective in the treatment of T2DM, particularly in lowering HbA1c and FBG. Further studies are needed to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of these medicines and to develop standardized guidelines for the use of Ayurveda in the treatment of diabetes.