The use of medicinal plants in the supplementary treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder with high prevalence, and the use of medicinal plants has emerged as a promising complementary approach for the treatment of this condition. This study aimed to review the efficacy of Aloe vera, Curcuma longa, and Ginkgo biloba in glycemic control and in the reduction of complications associated with DM. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA method, using the descriptors “Aloe vera,” “Curcuma,” “Ginkgo biloba,” and “Diabetes” in databases such as PubMed, BVS, and SciELO. Articles published between 2013 and 2024 were selected, considering only complete experimental and clinical studies that met the inclusion criteria. In total, seven studies were included in the analysis. The results showed that Aloe vera significantly reduced glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and capillary blood glucose, demonstrating efficacy as an adjuvant to metformin treatment. Curcumin combined with piperine exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, also contributing to the reduction of HbA1c and capillary blood glucose. Ginkgo biloba, in turn, presented benefits in capillary blood glucose control and in the prevention of chronic complications such as retinopathy and nephropathy. Although the analyzed herbal medicines demonstrated significant therapeutic potential, the reviewed studies presented methodological limitations, such as small sample sizes and lack of protocol standardization. Despite these limitations, Aloe vera, Curcuma longa, and Ginkgo biloba are promising alternatives for the supplementary management of DM, with potential to reduce associated complications. However, further high-quality studies are required to consolidate their clinical use within well-defined protocols.