Role of Selected Indian Plants in Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Review

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes has become a global epidemic. Modern medicines, despite offering a variety of effective treatment options, can have several adverse effects. Ayurveda, a science that uses herbal medicines extensively, originated in India. Of considerable interest is the adoption of Ayurveda by the mainstream medical system in some European countries (e.g., Hungary), emphasizing this modality is increasing worldwide recognition. From ancient times, some of these herbal preparations have been used in the treatment of diabetes. This paper reviews the accumulated literature for 10 Indian herbs that have antidiabetic activity and that have been scientifically tested. Few of these herbs, such as Momordica charantia, Pterocarpus marsupium, and Trigonella foenum greacum, have been reported to be beneficial for treating type 2 diabetes. Mechanisms such as the stimulating or regenerating effect on beta cells or extrapancreatic effects are proposed for the hypoglycemic action of these herbs.

An overview on antidiabetic medicinal plants having insulin mimetic property

“…Water-soluble extracts of Gymnema sylvestre leaves release insulin probably by causing regeneration of pancreatic beta cells both in vivo and in vitro [6] .…”

“…The observed effect was due to an increase in the number of beta cells in treated animals compared to untreated one. The phytochemical momordicin, charantin, and a few compounds such as galactose-binding lectin and insulin-like protein isolated from various parts of this plant have been shown to have insulin mimetic activity [6,37] . Aqueous extract of unripe fruits of Momordica charantia has also been shown to partially stimulate insulin release from isolated beta-cell of obese-hyperglycemic mice suggesting that the insulin-releasing action is the result of perturbations of membrane functions [10] .…”

“…An active principleepicatechin isolated from the bark of Pterocarpus marsupium has been found to have protective and restorative effects on beta cells in diabetic subjects. Possibly, epicatechin acts by regenerating the beta cells and may produce actions similar to that of insulin [6] .…”

“…Trigonella foenum-graecum has been observed to cause glucose-induced insulin release in vitro and in vivo [6] . A specific amino acid, hydroxyisoleucine, which represents 80% of the free amino acids in Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds, may possess insulin-stimulating properties [37] .…”

“…Currently available therapies for diabetes include insulin and various oral antidiabetic agents such as sulfonylureas, biguanides and glinides. Many of them have a number of serious adverse effects; therefore, the search for more effective and safer hypoglycemic agents is one of the important areas of investigation [6] . Aldose reductases, a key enzyme in the polyol pathway catalyze the reduction of glucose to sorbitol.…”