Tungsten (VI) compositions for the oral treatment of diabetes mellitus

摘要

Low-toxicity pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of a tungsten (VI) compound, preferably of a tungstate or a polytungstate, and more preferably of sodium tungstate. Use of a tungsten (VI) compound for the preparation of an oral medicament for lowering blood sugar in a human suffering from Type 1 (IDDM) or Type 2 (NIDDM) diabetes mellitus. Compared with the known insulin-mimicker vanadium compositions, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention have the advantage of providing a much lower oral toxicity, both short- and long-term. Compared with insulin, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention do not present the adverse effect of inducing hypoglycemia when administered in excess. They are useful in human therapeutics.