The Role of Herbs in the Treatment of Diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder whose prevalence has been steadily expanding worldwide. Diabetes can cause complications with time, which include failure of the heart and the kidney, and a reduction in the quality of life. Continuous administration of allopathic drugs such as biguanides, sulfonylurea (Hypoglycaemic agents), and insulin causes many side effects such as Hypoglycaemia, stomach upset, etc., and have a high cost due to which researchers take eager interest in studies on herbs to find novel chemical compounds for the treatment of diabetes. Some diabetologists have recently found evidence that a therapeutic supplement containing plant derivatives is required to optimise diabetes treatment. Herbal medicine research has grown in importance in recent decades, and the usage of natural products in the cure of diabetes is becoming more popular around the world. They have the property to act as an antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, and anticancer. Herbs are used nowadays, in place of high-cost prescribed drugs. There are many medicinal plants or herbs that are used in the treatment of diabetes such as Allium sativum, <i>Trigonellafoenum graecum</i> (Fenugreek), <i>Cuminum cyminum L</i> (Cumin), <i>Cinnamomum verum</i> (Cinnamon), <i>Ocimum sanctum </i>(Holy basil), and <i>Tinospora cordifolia</i> (Guduchi). Diabetes is caused mostly by oxidative stress and a rise in reactive oxygen species, which can have serious consequences. Many herbs include natural antioxidants, including flavonoids, C and E vitamins and tannins, which hold the capacity to lower blood glucose levels. Medicinal plants help to improve fasting blood sugar levels and, function of the kidney. This study focused on diabetes and accessible diabetic treatments, with a particular emphasis on herbal medicines and clinical trials of these herbal plants.<br>