Evaluation of Potential Toxicity Associated with Antidiabetic Herbs in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a serious, long-lasting disease that is characterized by high blood sugar levels, leading to more severe complications involving other organ systems of the body. Diabetes is becoming more common worldwide. Managing diabetes can be complicated, but many people, especially in Saudi Arabia, often use traditional herbal medicines to treat the condition. Our study concentrates on assessing the safety of commonly used antidiabetic herbs in Saudi Arabia by examining their potential toxicity. Method: Using keywords and their variations, we conducted a systematic search of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to find studies on treatments based on antidiabetic herbs and their toxic effects from 2014 to 2024. Result: Our study revealed that the use of medicinal plants for treating and managing diabetes along with its complications is becoming popular around the globe. These medicinal plants are also being used as primary sources of developing modern pharmaceutical antidiabetic drugs. Phytotherapy is safe to treat diabetes as herbal bioactive components act through many biological pathways. They may inhibit α-glucosidase enzyme, enhance GLUT-4 translocation, and also improve lipid profile. Conclusion: The use of natural plants having medicinal properties is popular for the treatment of diabetes. Claims of their usefulness by traditional healers are being supported by scientific evidence also. To determine the right dosage of these medicinal herbs, cytotoxicity tests or short-term experiments are done to establish doses of plants used in vitro and in vivo. Toxicity concerns are a primary reason why healthcare professionals hesitate to incorporate herbal products into the healthcare system. That’s why it is necessary to screen such plants for their toxicity to differentiate pharmacological efficacy from adverse effects. Keywords: Herbal medicines, plant extracts, phytotherapy, diabetes, KSA, Saudi Arabia, traditional, Medicinal herbs, antidiabetic, toxicity