Abstract

SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION OF TRADITIONAL PLANTS HAVING ANTIDIABETIC POTENTIAL -A REVIEW

*Dr. Abhishek Gupta and Prof. Vk Joshi

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus is a universal problem affecting human societies at all stages of development. It is a condition where sufficient amount of insulin is either not produced or the body is unable to use the insulin that is produced, leading to excess glucose in the blood. Insulin is the hormone that enables glucose uptake and utilization by the body cells for energy supply. Now a days, it is the most complicated syndrome and everyone wants something differerent, effective without hazards for this problems. From the beginning plants were the only source for curing any disease. India has a rich tradition of plant-based knowledge on healthcare. A large number of plants/plant extracts/decoctions or pastes are equally used by tribals and folklore traditions in India for treatment of diabetes. The present review thus attempts to analyze the ethnobotanical knowledge base for treatment of diabetes which includes a usage of plants, methods employed by tribals and folklore practices prevailing in India. A large number of plants used in tribal and folklore with enormous potential have not been validated for their antidiabetic potential. This review therefore attempts to bridge the lacunae in the existing literature and offers immense scope for researchers engaged in validation of the traditional claims and development of safe and effective and globally accepted herbal drugs for diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes, Ayurveda, Herbal drugs, Prameha