Can this traditional Thai herbal extract be used to treat Type 2 diabetes?

Researchers have established that Mathurameha (also spelled as Mathura Meha), a traditional herbal blend in Thailand that uses 26 medicinal plants, is an effective and safe way to treat Type 2 diabetes. The study, published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, examined the decoction’s ability to reduce blood sugar.

• Mathurmeha has been used for in alternative and complementary treatments for diabetes in Wangnamyen Hospital in Thailand.
• Researchers experimented on male Sprague-Dawley rats to provide scientific evidence of its ability and safety for use.
• The rats were injected with nicotinamide and streptozotocin to induce diabetes. The experimental groups were given an extract from the formula for the duration of the study, with researchers evaluating their two-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2h–PPG) levels every seven days. After two weeks, biochemical data were measured for all samples.
• The findings revealed that an aqueous extract of Mathurameha effectively improved glucose tolerance in diabetic rats.
• Increased dosage of the extract resulted in an inverse association with glucose, as 12.5, 25, and 50 mg of the extract per kilogram of body weight lowered glucose by 3.32, 15.78, and 17.94 percent, respectively.
• Biomarkers (i.e., total cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, globulin, creatinine, and uric acid levels) were also shown to improve in rats that were given the extract.
• Rats did not exhibit symptoms of acute toxicity after ingesting the extract at a dose of 5 g/kg.

The findings suggest that Mathurameha can lower blood sugar levels and improve biochemical profiles without any toxic side effects, making it safe for treating Type 2 diabetes.

Find the full text of the study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Chayarop K, Peungvicha P, Temsiririrkkul R, Wongkrajang Y, Chuakul W, Rojsanga P. HYPOGLYCAEMIC ACTIVITY OF MATHURAMEHA, A THAI TRADITIONAL HERBAL FORMULA AQUEOUS EXTRACT, AND ITS EFFECT ON BIOCHEMICAL PROFILES OF STREPTOZOTOCIN-NICOTINAMIDE-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 29 June 2017;17. (343). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1851-8