Traditional Indian Medicines Used for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Plants have always been a source of drugs for humans since time immemorial. The Indian traditional system of medicine is replete with the use of plants for the management of diabetic conditions. According to the World Health Organization, up to 90% of population in developing countries use plants and its products as traditional medicine for primary health care. There are about 800 plants which have been reported to show antidiabetic potential. The present review is aimed at providing in-depth information about the antidiabetic potential and bioactive compounds present in Ficus religiosa, Pterocarpus marsupium, Gymnema sylvestre, Allium sativum, Eugenia jambolana, Momordica charantia, and Trigonella foenum-graecum. The review provides a starting point for future studies aimed at isolation, purification, and characterization of bioactive antidiabetic compounds present in these plants.

Treating Hyperinsulinemia with Momordica charantia

“…It increases sensitivity of the insulin receptor [17], reduces insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, with favourably influence on the metabolic syndrome [18] and diabetes [19] in humans. Obesity promotes prostate cancer [20] which has been related to hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance [2,[21][22][23].…”

Overview of Diabetes Mellitus and its Treatment

“…Herbal treatment may serve to prevent diabetes which related foot complications. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] Some of the Ayurveda treatments are studied as follows  Diabkil: Diabkil medicine is a unique herbal formula which is designed to serve diabetes patients and lower their sugar level naturally. This medicine is prepared from the pure herbs which are rich in antioxidants and very advantageous in normalizing the blood glucose level in natural control of diabetes.…”

Therapeutic Potential of Plant Phenolics for the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy

“…Momordica charantia [50], Nervilia plicata [51], Gymnema sylvestre, Ficus religiosa, Eugenia jambolana, Allium sativum, Pterocarpus marcupium, and Ocimum sanctum are a few [52,53]. Gymnema sylvestre is known to have high antidiabetic activity.…”