Hypoglycaemic response to Zygophyllum gaetulum extracts in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
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Abstract
Zygophyllum gaetulum leaves are one of several traditional remedies used for diabetes treatment in Morocco. Its ability to lower the blood glucose was studied in 13 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The reaction time of the Z. gaetulum aqueous extract at a single oral dose (440 mg/kg) producing a significant hypoglycaemic effect is 6 h after administration. The same dose ingested twice daily resulted in a significant reduction of blood glucose during the first week, and maintained the patient in normoglycaemia throughout the 2 week course of treatment, with no change in body weight.