Indigenous Plants Reported for Hypoglycemic Activity

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Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Indigenous Plants Reported for Hypoglycemic Activity
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:

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Author:

Shipra Roy, Venu Agrawal


Ancient Science of Life:

(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)

Full text available for: Indigenous Plants Reported for Hypoglycemic Activity

Year: 2001

Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

The paper discusses the significance of indigenous plants in treating diabetes, noting that while modern medicine has advanced considerably, it has not yet produced definitive cures for certain diseases, including diabetes. Diabetes, primarily categorized into diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus, requires constant management through medication and dietary control. Due to the side effects associated with conventional drugs and the increasing public interest in natural remedies, there is a pressing need to explore non-conventional sources such as plants for their potential hypoglycemic properties.

The Role of Indigenous Plants in Diabetes Management

Many plant species have been documented in various cultures for their hypoglycemic effects and application in diabetes treatment. The authors reviewed existing literature on these plants that have been scientifically investigated for their ability to lower blood sugar levels. The paper provides a comprehensive list of indigenous plants, including their families, parts used, and the type of extracts employed, highlighting the importance of traditional knowledge in the pursuit of alternative therapies for managing diabetes effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the exploration of traditional herbal medicine offers a promising avenue for finding new treatments for diabetes, potentially reducing the reliance on conventional drugs that often come with adverse effects. This review underlines the need for further research into the hypoglycemic activities of indigenous plants, which may lead to the development of safer and more effective therapies for diabetes management. The acknowledgment of financial support from the University Grants Commission emphasizes the collaborative effort necessary for advancing this field of study.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What is the focus of the paper by Shipra Roy and Venu Agrawal?

The paper discusses indigenous plants known for their hypoglycemic properties and their potential use in treating diabetes, highlighting the need for non-conventional remedies.

What are the two main types of diabetes mentioned?

Diabetes is categorized into diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus, with diabetes mellitus being further divided into insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

Why are people turning to natural products for diabetes treatment?

People are increasingly aware of the side effects of conventional drugs, leading them to seek natural products with fewer adverse effects for diabetes management.

What types of plants are being studied for hypoglycemic effects?

Various indigenous plants from different families are studied, such as Acacia catechu and Aloe vera, with different parts and extracts showing potential hypoglycemic activity.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Indigenous Plants Reported for Hypoglycemic Activity”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Drug:
The term 'drug' is relevant because it relates to the therapeutic substances derived from plants for treating ailments like diabetes. The paper discusses various indigenous plants that have demonstrated hypoglycemic activity, indicating their potential as alternative or supplementary drugs in managing diabetes effectively and safely.

2) Water:
Water is significant in the context of herbal medicine since many plant extracts for hypoglycemic activity were prepared using aqueous methods. The extraction process often utilizes water to dissolve active compounds, thereby aiding in the delivery of beneficial phytochemicals in treating conditions such as diabetes.

3) Medicine:
The concept of 'medicine' encompasses the use of plant-derived substances for healing and treating diseases, particularly diabetes in this study. The findings highlight the integration of traditional medicinal practices with modern scientific research to explore the efficacy of various plants as therapeutic agents.

4) Science (Scientific):
Science is paramount in evaluating the hypoglycemic properties of indigenous plants. The paper utilizes scientific methods to assess the effectiveness of these plants, linking traditional knowledge with scientific validation, thus providing a comprehensive approach to understanding their medicinal potential and therapeutic applications.

5) Activity:
In this context, 'activity' refers to the biological effect of specific plant extracts on blood sugar levels. The paper investigates the hypoglycemic activity of various indigenous plants, which is essential for identifying natural remedies to manage and potentially cure diabetes.

6) Emblica officinalis:
Emblica officinalis, also known as Indian gooseberry, is noted for its rich vitamin C content and medicinal properties. It is traditionally used for its therapeutic benefits, particularly in managing diabetes, and its role in enhancing overall health makes it a significant candidate for further scientific study.

7) Dioscorea bulbifera:
Dioscorea bulbifera, known as air potato, is significant due to its potential hypoglycemic effects. The plant’s tubers contain bioactive compounds that may help regulate blood sugar levels, demonstrating an intersection between traditional uses and scientific research focused on diabetes management.

8) Azadirachta indica:
Azadirachta indica, or neem, is renowned for its medicinal properties, particularly in traditional medicine. Its leaves have been researched for their hypoglycemic activity, making it a crucial plant in the exploration of natural alternatives for diabetes treatment and management.

9) Terminalia chebula:
Terminalia chebula, often referred to as haritaki, is recognized for its health benefits and is traditionally used for diabetic management. Its pharmacological properties include antioxidant effects, which can play a role in regulating blood glucose levels, making it a valuable study subject.

10) Cinnamomum tamala:
Cinnamomum tamala, or Indian bay leaf, possesses various medicinal properties. It is included in the discussion for its potential effects on glucose metabolism, positioning it as a promising plant for further exploration in diabetes treatment within the broader context of traditional herbal medicine.

11) Nelumbo nucifera:
Nelumbo nucifera, known as lotus, is valued for its numerous health benefits. Its application in traditional medicine for diabetes management reflects its hypoglycemic properties, highlighting the need for scientific inquiry into its active components and their therapeutic potential.

12) Butea monosperma:
Butea monosperma, also known as flame of the forest, is noted in traditional medicine for its potential antidiabetic effects. Its flowers and other parts are utilized for their therapeutic properties, marking it as an important candidate in the search for effective herbal treatments.

13) Cuminum cyminum:
Cuminum cyminum, or cumin, is significant for its nutritional and medicinal benefits, including antidiabetic properties. Research on its active compounds may provide insights into its role in managing diabetes, supporting the integration of herbs into modern dietary and therapeutic regimens.

14) Acacia catechu:
Acacia catechu, commonly known as black cutch, is significant for its medicinal properties, particularly in traditional medicine for its potential effects on blood sugar levels. Its applications in folk remedies may offer insights into more natural ways to regulate diabetes.

15) Ocimum sanctum:
Ocimum sanctum, or holy basil, is significant due to its adaptogenic and health-promoting properties. Its traditional use in managing blood sugar levels and stress supports its exploration in modern medicine as a supportive treatment for diabetes.

16) Curcuma longa:
Curcuma longa, commonly known as turmeric, is essential for its widespread medicinal use, including hypoglycemic effects. Its active ingredient, curcumin, is studied for its potential therapeutic benefits in managing diabetes, making it a focal point in herbal research.

17) Indigofera tinctoria:
Indigofera tinctoria, known as indigo, holds significance for its traditional therapeutic applications, including blood sugar regulation. Its properties warrant scientific exploration to validate its effectiveness as a natural remedy for diabetes management within medicinal practices.

18) Momordica charantia:
Momordica charantia, or bitter melon, is recognized for its powerful hypoglycemic properties. It has long been utilized in traditional medicine for treating diabetes, making it a crucial plant for both traditional and modern scientific investigations into herbal diabetes therapies.

19) Dalbergia sissoo:
Dalbergia sissoo, also known as Indian rosewood, is noted for its medicinal applications, particularly related to metabolic disorders like diabetes. Its bioactive components may offer opportunities for developing natural remedies, highlighting the importance of traditional knowledge in modern pharmacology.

20) Gmelina arborea:
Gmelina arborea, often used in traditional medicine, is recognized for its potential health benefits, including its effects on blood sugar levels. Exploring its phytochemicals may yield valuable insights into its possible role in diabetes treatment.

21) Punica granatum:
Punica granatum, or pomegranate, is revered for its rich antioxidant properties and possible hypoglycemic effects. Its inclusion in the discussion emphasizes the importance of food sources in diabetes management and supports the exploration of food-based therapies.

22) Aegle marmelos:
Aegle marmelos, known as bael fruit, holds a significant place in traditional remedies for managing diabetes. Its leaves and fruits are utilized in traditional practices, indicating opportunities for scientific validation of its therapeutic efficacy in blood sugar regulation.

23) Phytochemical:
Phytochemicals are bioactive compounds derived from plants that contribute to their medicinal properties. Understanding these compounds is crucial for establishing the efficacy of indigenous plants in managing diabetes and integrating traditional medicine into modern therapeutic frameworks.

24) Tamala (Tamāla):
Tamala, referring to Cinnamomum tamala, is significant due to its reputed medicinal properties in traditional medicine. Its potential hypoglycemic effects demonstrate the intersection of cultural practices and scientific research, underscoring the need to explore its active components.

25) Sharman (Śarma, Sarmā, Sarma, Sharma, Śarman):
Sharma likely refers to one of the authors or contributors to the research. Understanding various viewpoints and contributions can enhance the context of findings in the field of ethnobotanical research related to diabetes treatment and plant studies.

26) Reason:
The word 'reason' is integral in logical evaluations of the efficacy of traditional remedies. It pertains to the rationale behind selecting certain plants based on folk uses and scientific evidence to highlight their applications in modern medicine.

27) Thirst:
Thirst is a key symptom of diabetes and relates to the metabolic imbalances discussed. Understanding this symptom helps emphasize the importance of researching natural remedies to alleviate the discomfort associated with diabetic conditions and improve patient quality of life.

28) Simha (Siṃha):
Sinha likely denotes a contributor to the research effort, emphasizing the collaborative nature of scientific inquiry in understanding the medicinal potential of various indigenous plants used traditionally for managing diabetes.

29) Giri:
Giri may refer to another author or researcher involved in this study, representing the collective effort in documenting the hypoglycemic activities of various plants. Their contributions highlight the importance of collaboration in research on natural medicine.

30) Musha (Musa, Musā, Mūṣā, Muṣā, Musá):
Musa, also known as banana or plantain, is recognized for its nutritional properties and potential medicinal benefits. Its role in traditional diets may reveal connections to blood sugar management, offering insights into its use in diabetic care.

31) Venu (Veṇu, Veṇū):
Venu likely represents one of the co-authors of the research, illustrating the contributions from different scholars in documenting the hypoglycemic effects of various indigenous plants in the context of traditional medicine.

32) Diet:
Diet is a crucial aspect in managing diabetes. The text underscores the relationship between food intake and diabetes control, advocating for natural products and whole foods as integral elements in dietary management for diabetic patients.

33) Post:
Post may refer to the category of research publication, indicating the ongoing academic discourse in exploring traditional and contemporary medicinal practices that address diabetes and other health concerns, contributing to the broader field of ethnopharmacology.

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