Indian Traditional medicinal plants as a source of potent Anti-diabetic agents: A Review

OBJECTIVE: The present review aims to provide an overview of traditional medicinal plants known to be of anti-diabetic potential. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the scientific databases including PubMed, EMBASE and google scholar and a total of fifty herbs have been described and their possible mechanism of anti-diabetic action has been mentioned. Among them, in-depth discussion on five most potent anti-diabetic herbs has been provided with respect to their mechanism of action, in-vivo studies and clinical efficacies. RESULTS: The present review has highlighted the usefulness of the herbal source for the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus. With the help of previous literature published on In-vivo animal studies and human clinical studies; the effectiveness of Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia, Trigonella foenum graecum, Tinospora cordifolia and Curcuma longa in the treatment and management of Diabetes has been proved. CONCLUSION: Based on this review it can be concluded that herbs can serve as more efficient, safer, and cost-effective adjuvant therapy in the management and treatment of diabetes. Further investigations mainly focusing on the isolation of phytocompounds from these herbs can lead to the discovery of newer antidiabetic agents.