World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

MEDICINAL PLANTS WITH ANTI-DIABETIC POTENTIAL: A REVIEW

*Shailendra Dwivedi, *Imtiyaz Ahmad, Dr. Pushpa Yadav 

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The global prevalence of DM has reached epidemic proportions, necessitating the search for effective, affordable, and safe therapeutic options. Medicinal plants have been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Their bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins, possess antihyperglycemic properties through multiple mechanisms, including enhancing insulin secretion, improving insulin sensitivity, inhibiting carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, and modulating glucose uptake. This review focuses on six medicinal plants—Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon), Momordica charantia (bitter melon), Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek), Gymnema sylvestre (gymnema), Aloe barbadensis miller (aloe vera), and Curcuma longa (turmeric)—highlighting their phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and potential mechanisms of action in diabetes management. We also discuss challenges, limitations, and future perspectives in integrating these plants into mainstream diabetes care. The evidence suggests that these plants hold significant promise as complementary therapies; however, standardization, dosage optimization, and large-scale clinical trials are essential to confirm their efficacy and safety.

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