Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties ofGymnema sylvestre: An Important Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Gymnema sylvestre (Asclepiadaceae), popularly known as “gurmar” for its distinct property as sugar destroyer, is a reputed herb in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. The phytoconstituents responsible for sweet suppression activity includes triterpene saponins known as gymnemic acids, gymnemasaponins, and a polypeptide, gurmarin. The herb exhibits a broad range of therapeutic effects as an effective natural remedy for diabetes, besides being used for arthritis, diuretic, anemia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolemia, cardiopathy, asthma, constipation, microbial infections, indigestion, and anti-inflammatory. G. sylvestre has good prospects in the treatment of diabetes as it shows positive effects on blood sugar homeostasis, controls sugar cravings, and promotes regeneration of pancreas. The herbal extract is used in dietary supplements since it reduces body weight, blood cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and holds great prospects in dietary as well as pharmacological applications. This review explores the transition of a traditional therapeutic to a modern contemporary medication with an overview of phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the herb and its phytoconstituents.

Impact of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles on Enhancement of Bioactive Compounds Using Cell Suspension Cultures of Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br

“…(Family: Asclepiadaceae) is a woody climbing shrub that has medicinal value because of the presence of various bioactive compounds like gymnemic acids (GA) and phenolic compounds (PC), which are used to treat diabetes mellitus [1]. The plant is also used as an ingredient of tea, confections, and many food preparations for the regulation of sugar homeostasis and to control obesity and the level of blood cholesterol [2]. The pharmacologic potential of GA includes antimicrobial, antihypercholesterolemic, hepatoprotective and anti-saccharine activities [3].…”

Pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of polyherbal formulation and its ingredients in cardiovascular disorders using rodents

“…C. intybus (coumarins, sterols, tannins, triterpene cichoridiol, lupeol, sesquiterpene glycoside, caffeic acid and cichotyboside) [18], G. sylvestre (gymnemasides anthraquinone, stigmasterol, betaine, quercitol and gymnemagenin) [19], N. sativa (thymoquinone, α-pinene, p-cymnene, carvacrol, terpineol, nigellicimine and nigellidine) [20] and T. foenum graecum (trigonelline, cholin, gentian, carpaine and 4-hydroxyisoleucine and diosgenin) [21] have been found enriched with variety of phytochemicals. Most of the determined phytochemicals on the part of the components of POL 4 are also known for their diverse health benefits including their effectiveness in cardiovascular disorders [22–27].…”

Green synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles from Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract: study of antioxidant and anticancer activities

“…It is also used in the treatment of asthma, eye complaints, family planning, snakebite, urinary complaints, stomach ailments, piles, chronic cough, breathing troubles, colic pain, cardiopathy, constipation, dyspepsia and hemorrhoids, and hepatosplenomegaly (Patel et al 2012). Reports on the antioxidant activity of G. sylvestre are available (Tiwari et al 2014).…”