The Effect of Extract of Teucrium Polium On Blood Sugar and Insulin Levels of Type 2 Diabetic Patients

In traditional medicine Teucrium Polium (T.P.) has been known as anti diabetic plant and has a folk reputation as a hypoglycemic agent and it is widely used by diabetic patients in Iran and other middle Eastern countries. Evaluation of hypoglycemic effect of teucrium polium from Shiraz area used traditionally to reduce blood glucose level in humans with measurement of insulin and blood sugar. Study was done on 32 patients (patients and control). Patients received 0.4 gram of dried alcoholic extract of T.P. equivalent to 1.6 gm dry plant per oral two times daily and controls received placebo for two weeks. Results of insulin and blood sugar obtained before and after T.P. consumption, fasting and 2hr after standard diet, were compared with Paired T-Test. There was no significant change in fasting blood sugar (0.05<P<0.1), postprandial blood sugar (0.1<P<0.2), fasting insulin level, (P>0.5) and, postprandial insulin (P>0.2). Regarding the result of this study and occasional serious hepatic complication of T.P. its use by diabetic patients should be discouraged.