Promising Actions of Certain Medicinal Plants of Bangladesh against Diabetes and Oxidative Stress: A Review

Abstract

Diabetes is a metabolic illness defined by hyperglycemia that affects 10% of the world’s population. Diabetic complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and heart failure can develop if left untreated and are made worse by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress contributes to the rise of diabetic complications, particularly type-2 diabetes. In the blood vessels of diabetic individuals, it causes endothelial dysfunction. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Nowadays, it is alarming that the number of diabetic patients is increasing dramatically. There are plenty of anti-diabetic drugs available on the market, but they possess several adverse effects and do not completely cure diabetes. It has now become a financial burden on patients, their families, and society as well. Medicinal plants have gained popularity in developed and developing countries over the last two decades because of their vast natural sources and lack of harmful effects compared to modern allopathic medications. According to the World Health Organization, traditional medicines, which are mostly manufactured from plants, are still used by 80% of the population in developing countries for the management and curing of diseases. This review includes 81 Bangladeshi medicinal plants from 51 different families that can be used to treat diabetes and oxidative stress. Among them, Psidium guajava (L.), Aloe vera, Catharanthus roseus, Allium sativum, Annona squamosa, Cinnamon zeylaniucm, Amaranthus esculentus, Eugenia jambolana, Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera, Spondias pinnata, Coccinia grandis (L.), Momordica charantia L., Heretiera fomes, Trigonella foenum-graecum were most potent. The fundamental purpose of our study is to find out and highlight certain medicinal plants in Bangladesh that have anti-diabetic and antioxidant capabilities so that the researchers can develop newer anti-diabetic medications with minimal side effects to treat metabolic dysfunction, diabetic complications, and oxidative stress more effectively.