Antidiabetic effects of medicinal plants

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic disorder that is characterized by an increase in blood glucose (hyperglycemia) with alteration of protein, carbohydrates, and fat metabolism. Consequently, it can lead to renal failure, atherosclerosis, nerve damage, blindness, and coronary heart disease. It is also known as the 5th leading cause of death. Although, there are numerous types of glucose-lowering drugs that exhibit anti-diabetic effects but results of treatment in patients are still not so perfect. Therefore, many treatments that include the use of medicinal plants are suggested and encouraged. Medical plants are believed to contain chemical substances with potential curative effects and can often have anti-diabetic effects. This study introduced about 23 effective medicinal plants reported by various experimental researchers with the curative potential to treat diabetes. Although, most of the research used animal models, there is a clear indication that medicinal plants with anti-diabetic potentials are being investigated by several researchers. However, there is a need for further research to be conducted with isolated bioactive ingredients present in these plants in order to have potential ingredients that could be used as a pharmacological agent in the treatment of diabetes mellitus with fewer adverse effects. Again, the mechanisms of action of these medicinal plants in ameliorating diabetes need to be investigated.