Plant Secondary Metabolites of Pharmacological Significance in Reference to Diabetes Mellitus: An Update

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and alterations in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolisms. Diabetes is associated with absolute or relative deficiencies in insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells and/or insulin action. For the treatment of diabetes large numbers of herbal preparations are in vogue. Plant cells produced secondary metabolites which are biologically active constituents with therapeutic and prophylactic applications in humans. These metabolites includes alkaloides, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, resins, lignins, saponins etc. majority of the world population depends on herbal drugs for their health care needs.This review gives information on secondary metabolites with pharmacological properties, techniques used in isolation and identification and also summaries data on 112 plants, plant parts, their antidiabetic properties with anti glycemic and other chemotherapeutic functions.