A body is a fuel burning machine and the main fuel it burns is glucose, also known as sugar. The term ―diabetes‖ is derived from Greek word meaning ―to pass through‖ specifying to excessive urination, while ―mellitus‖ is a Latin word meaning ―sweetened with honey‖, demonstrating the presence of sugar in the urine. Diabetes is a multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. Diabetes has increased dramatically over recent decades due to factors such as urban living, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, unhealthy dietary habits, aging and genetic predisposition. According to global health approximations, millions of people are affected, making it one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The clinical manifestations of diabetes include polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, blurred vision, delayed wound healing and fatigue. Acute complications include diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. Chronic complications affect multiple organ systems and include cardiovascular diseases, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, foot ulcers, and amputations. Diagnosis of diabetes is based on blood tests such as fasting blood glucose level, random (non-fasting) glucose level and Haemoglobin A1C test. Early findings and awareness and timely intervention are crucial for preventing complications and improving outcomes. Herbal medicines have been used for centuries for the management of Diabetes Mellitus. The increasing prevalence of diabetes and the side effects associated with some synthetic antidiabetic drugs have encouraged research into herbal remedies. Herbal drugs are generally considered cost-effective, readily available, and culturally acceptable. Gymnema Sylvestre helps reduce intestinal glucose absorption and may stimulate insulin secretion and pancreatic β-cell regeneration. Momordica Charantia exhibits insulin-like activity through compounds such as charantin, vicine, and polypeptide-p, thereby lowering blood glucose levels. Trigonella foenum-graecum improves glycemic control by delaying glucose absorption and enhancing insulin sensitivity. Azadirachta Indica contributes to diabetes management through its hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties, improving glucose utilization. Pterocarpus marsupium may reduce blood glucose levels and promote pancreatic β-cell regeneration due to the presence of pterostilbene and epicatechin. Syzygium Cumini helps regulate blood sugar by slowing the conversion of starch into glucose and improving glycemic control. Collectively, these medicinal plants offer multiple therapeutic benefits and represent valuable complementary approaches for diabetes management. Their combined actions on insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, glucose absorption, and oxidative stress highlight their potential as natural antidiabetic agents.
Ishika Roy*1, Dr. Abhishek Prasad2, Karam Singh Tanty1 (Wed,) studied this question.