Medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes
Recently, certain medicinal plants have been utilized ephemerally as antidiabetic therapies and have been found to be helpful in treating diabetes around the world. Here are 9 medicinal plants that are naturally used to treat diabetes.
- Custard apple
- Red hogweed
- Bougainvillea
- Wild cowrie fruit
- Periwinkle
- False Calumba
- Daduri
- Curry patta
- Black - or Chebulic myrobalan
1. Custard apple
Custard apple is scientificaly known as Annona squamosa Linn. belongs to Annonaceae family. It is grow all throughout India. The plant's seeds, leaves, and aerial portions all contain the pharmacologically active components. Recent studies have shown that the plant has hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic properties. It works by growing pancreatic islet insulin levels, increasing muscle glucose uptake, and reducing liver glucose production. This plant's leaves may be used to extract a substance that helps keep cholesterol and blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
2. Red hogweed
Red hogweed is extensively dispersed across India. Its scientific name is Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (Nyctaginaceae). For the treatment of diabetes, stress, dyspepsia, stomach discomfort, inflammation, jaundice, spleen enlargement, congestive heart failure, and bacterial infections, the root and the whole plant are used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine in India. In rats with diabetes produced by alloxan, the plant's aqueous leaf extract has been investigated for its antidiabetic action. The herb has antidiabetic effect, according to research on the chloroform extract of the plant's leaves in chronic treatment of streptozotocin-induced non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) model diabetic mice. The plant primarily affects blood glucose levels by lowering them and improving insulin sensitivity.
3. Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea spectabilis Linn (Nyctaginaceae) spectabilis is a well-known attractive plant that is often cultivated in Indian gardens. Native to South America, the genus Bougainvillea includes blooming plants that may be found from Brazil through southern Argentina and farther west to Peru. The conventional plant has the ability to treat diabetes. In streptozotocin-induced type I diabetic albino rats, the blood glucose reducing ability of Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd leaf extract was observed. The antihyperglycemic properties of the leaves' ethanolic extract are most likely caused by improved glycogenesis in the liver, which increases glucose absorption, as well as by improved insulin sensitivity.
4. Wild cowrie fruit
Casearia esculenta Roxb. (Flacourtiaceae), sometimes known as "wild cowrie fruit," has therapeutic characteristics. The plant, which is found in South India, is a shrub. C. esculenta is a well-known treatment for diabetes mellitus. Plants have been said to have hypoglycemic effects. Hypoglycemic components in the root extract of C. esculenta decreased blood sugar levels in test animals. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, C. esculenta root extract influences protein metabolism and marker enzymes. According to the research, C. esculenta root extract may increase hepatic and kidney damage linked to streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats and has an antihyperglycemic impact.
5. Periwinkle
Catharanthus roseus Linn. (Apocyaceae), which is often used as an anticancer agent but is also used in subtropical and tropical regions of the globe to treat diabetes by a hot water infusion of the leaves or the whole plant. The results suggest that the alcoholic extract of C. roseus leaves has the ability to reduce blood sugar levels.The plant has protective properties against alloxan monohydrate's necrotic effects. Dichloromethane-methanol extract of the leaves and twigs was tested for anti-diabetic efficacy, and its impact on enzymes involved in glucose metabolism was investigated. The process could result from increased insulin secretion. The findings of the other studies suggested that the extract may assist boost glucose consumption while preventing damage from oxygen free radicals.
6. False Calumba
In Sri Lanka and India's Western Ghats, False Calumba (Coscinium fenestratum Colebr. belongs to Menispermaceae family) is popularly referred to as a tree. The ancient, Ayurvedic, and Siddha schools of medicine have mostly employed the plant for diabetic mellitus. In streptozotocin and nicotinamide-induced diabetic mice, this plant's alcohol stem extract enhances antioxidant state and controls metabolism. Alcoholic extract controls the homeostasis of glucose and reduces gluconeogenesis in C. fenestratum. The medication also strengthens cellular antioxidant defense.
7. Daduri
Daduri, also known as Ficus hispida Linn (Moraceae), is a plant used to cure diabetes. India is home to several of these little trees. The hypoglycemic effects of several substances derived from F. bengalensis have been documented by various researchers. According to research on the hypoglycemic effects of F. bengalensis Linn. (bark) in both healthy and diabetic albino rats, the water-soluble portion of the alcoholic extract of Ficus hispida considerably lowers fasting blood glucose levels in both healthy and diabetic rats that have been given alloxan. Ficus hispida bark extract and insulin may interact if administered concurrently, notwithstanding the extract's direct peripheral impact on cells.
8. Curry patta
Curry patta, also known as Murraya koenigii Linn. (Rutaceae), is a popular condiment and spice in India. The aqueous extract of the leaves of M. koenigii had a hypoglycemic effect in both normal and alloxan diabetes. When normal rats were fed this plant by oral ingestion for 60 days, the hypoglycemic effect of the plant led to an increase in hepatic glycogen concentration. It has been claimed that administering various dosages of M. koenigii leaves to diabetic rats may influence how well their condition is managed, from mild diabetes to moderate, severe, and type I diabetes. It lowers blood glucose levels and has been shown to improve carbohydrate metabolism.
9. Black - or Chebulic myrobalan
Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae), which is abundantly available in India, has been utilized extensively in Ayurveda to treat diabetes. Traditional medicine for the management of diabetes uses TRIPHALA, a herbal mixture including T. chebula. The chloroform extract of T. chebula Retz seeds has anti-diabetic and renoprotective properties in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. It has an effective renoprotective effect. The Indian almond, or Terminalia catappa Linn (Combretaceae), is a tree native to the drier regions of India. In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, the anti-diabetic efficacy of petroleum ether, methanol, and aqueous T. catappa fruit extract on fasting blood sugar levels and serum biochemical analyses was investigated. At dosage levels that were one-fifth of their fatal doses, all three extracts had a strong anti-diabetic effect. The extract may function by regenerating beta cells. The reduction in diabetes consequences such glycosylation in alloxan-induced diabetic rats may be attributable to -carotine.
