DIABETES MELLITUS: ROLE OF BOTANICAL PHARMACY

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic endocrine disorder which is characterized by high blood glucose levels that can interfere with carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. Diabetic patients defects in insulin secretion or insulin action or both. Effective treatment of diabetes is still a major challenge in spite of approved drugs such as biguanides, metformin, Januvia (Sitagliptin phosphate tablets), thiazolidinediones, sulfonylureas, a-glucoside inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and insulin for the diabetes. However, all these pharmaceutical drugs have serious harmful side effects. Traditional plants are reported to have significant antidiabetic properties with no harmful side effects. Ayurveda offers comprehensive safe and effective approaches to manage diabetic disorder. Ayurvedic treatment is effective to reduce the side effects and to improve general well-being of the diabetic patient. This review paper provides useful information about the clinically proven medicinal plants for the treatment of type-2 diabetes.