Effective Management of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus with Unani Medications: A Case Report

Diabetes mellitus (DM) presents a formidable global health challenge, with conventional treatments often accompanied by limitations and adverse effects. Moreover, accessibility and affordability of conventional treatments remain barriers for many individuals, particularly in low-resource settings. Hence, there is a compelling need to explore alternative therapeutic modalities, such as Unani medicine, which offer the potential for effective management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) while potentially mitigating these drawbacks.

A 35-year-old female patient presented with symptoms including fatigue, increased thirst, frequent urination, and a burning sensation in both feet. Her medical history revealed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), with fasting blood glucose (FBS) levels at 276 mg/dl, postprandial blood glucose levels (PPBS) at 380 mg/dl, and a glycated haemoglobin percentage (HbA1c) of 11.2%. Initially prescribed with a combination of glimepiride (1mg) and metformin (500mg) twice daily, she discontinued the treatment due to discomfort. The patient was diagnosed with Dhayābῑtus Shakari and subsequently treated with Unani medications including Qurs Ziabetus (tablets), Zulal Ziabetus (decant), Safoof Darchini (powder), and Arq Zeera (distillate), commonly used in Unani Medicine for T2DM. Additionally, she received dietary recommendations and was advised to engage in a daily 30-minute walk. The patient underwent follow-up assessments every 2 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. Over this period, the patient exhibited positive responses to treatment, evidenced by notable improvements in glycaemic control. Specifically, fasting blood glucose (FBS) levels decreased to 139 mg/dl, postprandial blood glucose (PPBS) levels dropped to 179 mg/dl, and glycated hemoglobin percentage (HbA1c) decreased to 8.7%. Additionally, there was a significant amelioration in overall symptoms, as evaluated through the Asian Diabetes Quality of Life questionnaire scores and Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom score. At baseline, the AsianDQOL score indicated poor quality of life at 47, which notably improved to 85 post-treatment, indicating a shift towards a good quality of life. Furthermore, the Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom score reduced from 3 at baseline to 0 at the conclusion of treatment, indicative of alleviated pain and burning sensation in the feet.

This case report highlights the potential effectiveness of Unani medications in managing T2DM, suggesting its viability as a treatment option within a comprehensive diabetes management strategy. The patient's positive response underscores Unani medicine's potential not only as a complementary treatment but also as an integrative approach. However, to substantiate these findings and explore the integration of Unani treatments with conventional therapies, further research, including controlled clinical trials, is imperative. Emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, future studies should investigate the mechanisms of action, safety profile, and long-term efficacy of Unani medicine in T2DM management to optimize diabetes care.