complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and peripheral
vascular insufficiencies (Chehade, Mooradian,
2000). Hyperglycemia can be handled initially with oral
synthetic agents and insulin therapy. However, these synthetic
agents produce some serious side effects and are
relatively expensive for developing countries. Therefore,
searching for effective, low cost hypoglycemic agents
with fewer side effects is important (Rubin et al., 1994).
Since ancient times, diabetes has been treated orally with
several medicinal plants or their extracts based on folklore
medicine. The World Health Organization has also recom-