Hypoglycaemic Effect of Alcoholic Extracts of the Leaves of Abroma Augusta & Gymnema Sylvestre Plants in Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is the most common disease of the world causing much Morbidity. It is very evident that the incidence of this disease is rapidly increasing in both developed and developing countries. Also the mean age of acquiring the disease is lowering day by day. The Diabetes mellitus is classified into many types like, Type I / Juvenile, Type II / Non-insulin dependent, Gestational Diabetes, etc., But irrespective of the type affected, the patients suffer equally. India is having the largest Diabetic population of the world. So at this context the Natural Herbal Medicines which can have a Good Diabetic Control should be tested on the patients and reported effectively. Leaves of Abroma augusta belonging to Malvaceae family is traditionally being used to treat Diabetes mellitus in India and Southern Asia. Thin-layer chromatography studies revealed the presence of Abromine (betaine), Triterpenoids, Flavonoids and Phenolic compounds in Abroma augusta L which are found to be Anti-diabetic. Gymnema sylvestre belonging to Asclepiadaceae family found in central and peninsular India is a potent Anti-diabetic plant used in folk, Ayurvedic and Homeopathic systems of medicine. Gymnema sylvestre leaves contain Gymnemic acids that have Anti-diabetic, Anti-sweetener and Anti-inflammatory activities. These details intended us to carry out an Experimental Study on Type II Diabetes mellitus patients. The alcoholic extracts of Abroma augusta and Gymnema sylvestre were compared for their Hypoglycaemic effects by means of a Randomized Control Trial on Type II Diabetes mellitus patients which was executed with a Placebo control group for higher significance. Pre & Post Treatment Fasting Blood Glucose Levels were analyzed statistically. By the end of the study both the extracts showed Statistically good Hypoglycaemic effect with a P Value < 0.00001. Gymnema sylvestre (Mean lowering modulation – 29.03 mg/dL) has proved to be slightly more effective than Abroma augusta (Mean lowering modulation – 26.00 mg/dL).