Jasada bhasma, a Zinc-Based Ayurvedic Preparation: Contemporary Evidence of Antidiabetic Activity Inspires Development of a Nanomedicine

Table 1

Summary of the current therapeutic agents for type 2 diabetes and associated side effects.

Drug class/agent	Drug effect/action	Side effects/demerits
Metformin	Suppresses hepatic glucose output	Lactic acidosis and GI problems
Insulin secretagogues (sulphonylureas)	Increase insulin secretion	Hypoglycemia and weight gain
PPARγ agonists (thiazolidinediones)	Increase insulin sensitivity	Peripheral edema, weight gain, and anemia
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (acarbose)	Inhibit glucose absorption	Loose stools and flatulence
GLP-1 analogues (liraglutide)	Increase glucose stimulated insulin secretion	Patient compliance in case of peptide analogues (injection)
DPP-IV inhibitors (sitagliptin)	Enhance endogenous GLP-1 action	Specificity issues
SGLT2 inhibitors (canagliflozin)	Inhibition of glucose reabsorption in kidneys	Urinary tract infections