Exploring Phytotherapy in the Management of Diarrhea among Diabetic Patients

Taliikwa Nicholas Ceaser

Department of Pharmacognosy Kampala International University Uganda

Email:ceaser.taliikwa@studwc.kiu.ac.ug

ABSTRACT

Diarrhea is a common yet often overlooked complication in diabetic patients, affecting approximately 40% of individuals with diabetes. Persistent diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and deterioration in quality of life. Conventional treatments often provide symptomatic relief but may come with side effects. Phytotherapy, the use of plant-derived compounds for therapeutic purposes, has gained attention as an alternative or adjunct treatment for gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhea. This review explores the mechanisms by which phytotherapy alleviates diarrhea in diabetic patients, including anti-secretory, anti-inflammatory, and gut microbiota-restoring properties. Various herbal treatments such as psyllium, ginger, fennel, tulsi, and aloe are discussed for their potential role in managing diabetic diarrhea. The review also highlights clinical studies supporting the efficacy of phytotherapeutic agents and emphasizes the need for rigorous clinical trials to establish safety, dosage, and effectiveness. The integration of phytotherapy into diabetes care may provide a holistic approach to managing gastrointestinal complications while minimizing side effects. Future research should focus on standardizing herbal formulations and developing clinical guidelines to optimize their use in diabetic diarrhea management.

Keywords: Phytotherapy, Diarrhea, Diabetes Mellitus, Herbal Medicine, Gastrointestinal Health, Alternative Medicine, Gut Microbiota.

CITE AS: Taliikwa Nicholas Ceaser. (2025). Exploring Phytotherapy in the Management of Diarrhea among Diabetic Patients. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES 5(1):14-18. https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJSES/2025/511418