Abstract

There has been increased scientific interest in medicinal plants that have been reported to be used traditionally to treat diabetes in humans. This is due to increased efficacy of new plant-derived drugs, growing interests in natural products and the presence of serious side effects of conventional medicines. The development of drugs from plants by drug companies also encourages large pharmaceutical screening of herbs. Accordingly, large numbers of plant and plant products have been scientifically tested and reported to possess the ability to decrease blood glucose levels of normal and/or diabetic animals. Among these are Coccinia indica, Tragia involucrate, Gymnema sylvestre, Pterocarpus marsupium, Trignonella foenum-graecum, Moringa oleifera, Eugenia jambolana, Tinospora cordifolia, Swertia chirayita, Momordica charantia, Ficus benghalensis, Vinca rosea, Premna integrifolia, Macuna prurita, Terminalia bellirica, Sesbinia aegytiaca, Azadirachta indica, Dendrocamalus hamittonni, Zingiber officinale, Aegle marmelos, Cinnamomum tamala, Trichosanthes cucumerina,Hyphaene thebaica, Leptadania hastata, Anisopus mannii and Opium sanctum. Therefore, the aim of this review is to discuss diabetes, past and recent trend with respect to application of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes and provide readers and researchers with the basic concepts of understanding the condition/disorder of diabetes and the glycemic effects of medicinal plants.

Key words: Diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, medicinal plants.