A Review on Some Potential Traditional Phytomedicine with Antidiabetic Properties

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolic condition characterised by elevated fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels. The global prevalence of diabetes is expected to rise from 4% in 1995 to 5.4% by 2025. According to WHO, the majority of the burden will fall on underdeveloped countries. Plants have been used as a source of medicine since prehistoric times. Plants are mentioned in Ayurveda and other Indian literature as being used in the treatment of many human illnesses. There are over 45000 plant species in India, and thousands of them have been claimed to have therapeutic characteristics. In recent decades, research on plants described in ancient literature or used historically for diabetes has revealed anti-diabetic properties.