Abstract

AN OVERVIEW OF DIABETES MELLITUS AND SUGAR LOWERING PLANTS

Mandeep Sharma*, Rajesh Khathuriya, Abhishek Bhanot, Upendra K. Jain

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus is a global disease associated with major cause of morbidity in the world. This disorder is basically characterized by high blood glucose level caused by defective insulin production and its action that are often responsible for severe health problems and early death. Medicinal plants from traditional system are used by about 60% of the world’s population according to the recent reports. The present paper summarise the types, causes, symptoms, post diabetic complications, diabetes in pregnancy/as a childhood disease and impact of life style (dietary supplement, obesity, exercise, etc.), oxidative stress on the diabetes. The present paper also involves the therapeutics with modern system of medicine and traditional system of medicine by compiling a list of more than 100 medicinal plants (special emphasized on Asian originated plants) which have been reported for anti-diabetic potential.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, risk factors, combination therapy, anti-diabetic plants.