Drug Interactions of Medicinal Plants with Chemical Antidiabetic Drugs

Drug interactions can occur when a drug is used concurrently with other drugs, foods, drinks, or herbs. These interactions can alter the drug s effect on the body, making it either more or less effective than expected, or causing unexpected side effects. In this context, we examined the significant interactions between antidiabetic drugs and medicinal plants. Various herbs can affect blood glucose levels and may interact with antidiabetic medications. These include turmeric (Curcuma longa), anise (Pimpinella anisum), artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus), garlic (Allium sativum), oregano (Mentha pulegium), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa), ginger (Zingiber officinale), saffron (Crocus sativus), chicory (Cichorium intybus), cloves (Dianthus spp.), dill (Anethum graveolens), Aloe Vera, red pepper (Capsicum annuum), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). These herbs have the potential to lower blood glucose levels. Therefore, combining these herbal remedies with antidiabetic drugs may lead to a drastic decrease in blood sugar levels, presenting a potential risk.