Medicinal plants with antidiabetic activity - A review of herbal medicine

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable diseases globally. It is the fourth leading causes of death in the most developed countries and there in substantial evendiced that it in epidemic in many developing and newly industrialized nations. This determines a serious threat to met within 21st century. Since ancient time plants have been exemplary source of medicine. Ayurveda and other Indian literature mentioned the used of plants in treatment of various ailments. Out of an estimated 250 000 higher plants, less than 1% have been screened pharmacologically and very few regard to diabetes mellitus. Medical plants play an important role in the management of diabetes mellitus especially in developing countries where resources are meager. This review presents the profiles of plants with hypoglycemic properties. The profiles presented include information about the scientific name, family, the degree of hypoglycemic activity and the active agents. The large number of plants described in this review clearly demonstrated the importance of herbal plants in the treatment of diabetes. It also shows the effort to isolate new potential antidiabetic agents Systematic studies on the folklore medicinal plants that combat diabetes mellitus are scanty.