Scientists have endorsed some local plants used in the management of diabetes.

Top on the list are Gongronema latifolium, Ocimum gratisimum, Vernonia amygdalina, and Piper guineense (Uziza in Ibo)
Gongronema latifolium is known by the Ikales of Ondo State of Nigeria as Iteji. The Ibos call the plant Utazi, the Efik/ Ibibio call it Utasi while the Yorubas call it Arokeke.

Botanically called Vernonia amygdalina, bitter leaf is of the plant family Compositae. It is called Ewuro in Yoruba and Onugbu in Ibo.

Botanically called Ocimum gratissimum, scent leaf or Basil belongs to the mint family Lameacea. It is called Effirin in Yoruba and Nchuanwu or Arigbe in Ibo.

Commonly called West African Black Pepper or Ashanti pepper, Piper guineense, is called Uziza in Igbo and Ata iyere in Yoruba.
Other local plants endorsed for the treatment of diabetes include: Allium cepa (onion), Allium sativum (garlic), Aloe vera, Cinnamomum cassie, Coccinia indica, Gymmema slyvestre (Gurnar), Momordica charantia (Bitter melon), Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar Periwinkle), Muurrayi komingii (curry leaf), Ocimum sanctum (Nchuanwu in Ibo and Effirin nla in Yoruba), Panax ginseng, Trigonella foemum-graecum (Fenugreek) Pterocarpus marsupium (Indian Kino) and Syzigium cumini (Java plum).

The study published in Journal of Diabetes & Metabolism is titled “Overview of Anti-Diabetic Medicinal Plants: The Nigerian Research Experience.”

The researchers from the Department of Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, and Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, include: Paul C. Chikezie, Okey A. Ojiako, Kanayo C. and Nwufo noted that a survey of several medicinal plant research findings showed that the polysaccharides, sterols, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, amino acids and their derivatives are the most encountered bioactive principles that exhibited glycemic control in experimental animals.

Previous studies have shown that a combination of daily intake of coconut oil, local spices, banana, Zobo (sorrel), local bitters such as bitter leaf, scent leaf as well as exercise training would reduce the risk of developing chronic and non communicable diseases like blood pressure, blood sugar (diabetes) and heart diseases.

Earlier studies suggest that a combination of bitter leaf and scent leaf extracts could not only reduce the blood glucose level, but protects the heart and testes against impairment and complete destruction due to diabetes.

A study by researchers at the University of Calabar published in February 2012 edition of The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine concluded, “we therefore conclude that extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Ocimum gratissimum apart from their hypoglycemic actions could protect the heart against impairment and complete destruction due to diabetes.”

Also, a Nigerian born Professor of Biology, Ernest Izevbigie has patented a formula made from bitter leaf. This bitter leaf-based formula is a proven anti-diabetic and anti-cancer formula in laboratory and clinical trials. This formula product can also benefit Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients. It has been patented: U.S. Patent 6,713,098 in 2004 and the second 6,848,604 in 2005.

http://guardian.ng/features/natural-health/scientists-endorse-herbs-for-diabetes-treatment/ lalasticlala, dominique, Mynd44