Mini-dissertation was submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / It was reported by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas, in 2003, that a prevalence figure of 3.4% exists for the 24 million South Africans between the ages of 20 and 79, with an expected increase to 3.9% by 2025. Considering that patients with diabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, blindness, amputation and renal failure it is therefore not surprising that the costs associated with diabetes are estimated to increase worldwide. It is clear that according to the current trends in dietary and exercise practices, South Africa will be affected by the rise in obesity and subsequent diabetes mellitus. It is critical that a concerted effort involving all parties concerned be made to combat this rapidly increasing problem (Rheeder, 2006:20). AIM The purpose of this double-blind, randomized clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of Momordica charantia homoeopathic mother tincture as compared to Momordica charantia 6CH, in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients on Metformin. METHODOLOGY Thirty patients were recruited and were selected for the study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. These participants were then randomly and equally divided into two groups. Each participant attended a total of four consultations with the researcher, over a two month period, at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Homoeopathic Day Clinic. At the commencement of the first consultation, each participant received the subject information letter (Appendix A) for perusal and the informed consent form (Appendix B) to sign. Following this, the researcher took a full, detailed iv case history (Appendix F) and performed a physical examination (Appendix G) of each patient. Participants were required to have a Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) test performed following the first and fourth consultations. Participants were also required to complete daily Log Sheets (comprising self administered fasting blood glucose readings using issued Bayer Ascensia Elite Glucometers) for the entire duration of the study (8 weeks). SPSS version 18 was used to analyse the data. A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The time effect was assessed for intra-group comparison whereas the time x group treatment effect was assessed for inter-group comparison. Means were calculated for both fasting blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin for the two respective groups and tabulated in order to describe the data obtained (Descriptive statistics). RESULTS Both groups reflected a statistically non significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels with no significant differences between the two groups when comparing reduction in fasting blood glucose levels. Group 1 (Momordica charantia homoeopathic mother tincture) reflected a non significant increase in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) levels while Group 2 (Momordica charantia 6CH) reflected a statistically significant increase over time in HbA1C levels. There were no significant differences between the two groups when comparing reduction in HbA1C levels. / M

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016, / Background Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with various aetiologies, characterised by hyperglycaemia, resulting from defects of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism due to the deficient action of insulin on target tissues caused by insensitivity to or lack of insulin or both. The long term effects of diabetes mellitus frequently include retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy and an increased risk of other diseases such as cardiac, peripheral arterial and cerebrovascular disease. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 387 million people have diabetes mellitus and this number is predicted to rise to 592 million worldwide by 2035. In 2014 diabetes mellitus caused 4.9 million deaths worldwide and every 7 seconds a person dies from diabetes mellitus. The growing incidence of diabetes mellitus is a worldwide concern because of the increase of economic costs and burden of disease that is due to the cardiovascular complications and the co-morbidities. Objective The aim of this double-blind, randomised clinical trial was to determine the efficacy of Syzygium jambolanum (Java plum) 6CH and Syzygium jambolanum (Java plum) homoeopathic mother tincture on daily fasting blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on Metformin® in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Material and Method A sample consisted of 24 volunteers selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. These participants were then randomly divided into two groups, 13 in the group receiving the homoeopathic potency and 11 in the group receiving the homoeopathic mother tincture. Each participant attended a total of five consultations with the researcher over a period of 14 weeks that included a 2 week baseline period followed by a 12 week treatment period, at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) or Kenneth Gardens Homoeopathic Day Clinic. At each consultation a detailed and comprehensive homoeopathic case history (Appendix D) was taken and a physical examination (Appendix E) was performed by the researcher. Participants were required to fill in a log sheet (Appendix C1 and C2) with their fasting blood glucose readings daily for 14 weeks, which included a 2 week baseline period followed by a 12 week treatment period. Participants were also required to have their glycosylated haemoglobin measurements tested pre- and post-treatment. Results Both groups reflected a statistically significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels as compared to the baseline. The mean fasting blood glucose level in week 1 was 11.8802 whereas in week 13 the mean blood glucose level was 8.6590 with a p value ≤ 0.05 for the Syzygium jambolanum 6CH group and the mean blood glucose level in week 1 was 9.0338 with a standard whereas in week 13 the mean blood glucose level was 6.8591 with a p value ≤ 0.05 in the Syzygium jambolanum homoeopathic mother tincture. However there was no significant differences between the two groups (Syzygium jambolanum 6CH and Syzygium jambolanum homoeopathic mother tincture), the significance score was 0.623 when comparing reduction in fasting blood glucose levels. Both groups reflected a statistically non-significant reduction in the glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) and there were no significant differences between the two groups when comparing reduction in HbA1C levels. Conclusion Both homoeopathic preparations of Syzygium jambolanum (mother tincture and 6CH) significantly reduce fasting blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This result suggests that Syzygium jambolanum has beneficial anti-diabetic effects and warrants further investigation. / M

M.Tech. / Impaired glucose tolerance, as determined by an oral glucose tolerance test, is the inability of the blood glucose regulatory mechanisms in the body to return the blood glucose levels to normal physiological levels after the ingestion of a meal (Guyton and Hall, 2006). Mollentze and Levitt (2006) report on various studies that were conducted in South Africa on the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus and they illustrate that there is an incidence of impaired glucose tolerance as high as 10.2% in certain communities and that impaired glucose tolerance may result in diabetes mellitus. A study has shown that cinnamon controls blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity resulting in better blood sugar level control (Jarvill-Taylor et al, 2001). The above research was done on cinnamon in the crude form but there is no research on Cinnamomum verum in a homoeopathic potency. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of Cinnamomum verum 1X on glucose tolerance in non-diabetic males after an oral glucose tolerance test. A double-blind pre-test post-test placebo controlled study on thirty healthy adult males between the ages of eighteen and forty years was conducted. The participants were recruited by means of an advertisement at the University of Johannesburg Health Clinic. Inclusion criteria comprised: no medication for one month prior to the study with a normal fasting blood sugar level of more than 3.0 but less than 6.0 mmol/l (Oussama, 2006); systolic blood pressure between 100 and 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure between 70 and 90 mmHg. At the first consultation the participant data was obtained and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed. The participants were issued with 100 ml of either Cinnamomum verum 1X or a placebo and a weekly checklist to complete. After two weeks the participant data was recorded again and the oral glucose tolerance test was repeated. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to analyse between the group data statistically and the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to perform the within-group analysis. The mean fasting blood glucose level of the experiment group changed from 4.71 mmol/l to 4.49 mmol/l. This was a statistically significant reduction, p = 0.025 (< 0.05). The reduction in the blood glucose level after the oral glucose tolerance test of the experiment group was also found to be statistically significant, p = 0.001 (< 0.05) with the mean value changing from 5.86 mmol/l to 5.40 mmol/l. It was concluded that the homoeopathic remedy, Cinnamomum verum 1X taken orally twice daily, was more effective than the placebo in reducing the fasting blood glucose level and the blood glucose level after an oral glucose tolerance test in non-diabetic males between the ages of eighteen and forty years with normal initial fasting blood glucose levels within a time period of two weeks.