Functional potential of anti-diabetic medicinal plants

Abstract

Diabetes is an escalating health problem and long-term use of synthetic drugs urges alternate choices such as herbal remedies having minimum side effects. Herbal drugs are effective in preventing the advancement of diabetes and related complications. Hence, research are advancing for maximum explorations of the hypoglycemic potential of herbs. Anti-diabetic activity of medicinal plants are mainly due to enhancement of insulin secretion and glucose utilization, reduction of antiglycation and insulin resistance. A few medicinal plants traditionally used for diabetic treatment proved scientifically for its antidiabetic action due to either of these functions are dealt in this review.