BITTER MELON
Biological source
It is obtained from edible fruit of Momordica
charantia, belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae.
Chemical constituents
The plant contains several
biologically active compounds
a) Chiefly momordicin I
& momordicin II, cucurbitacin B
b) Glycosides ( momordin,
charantin,charantosides,
goyaglycosides)
c) Terpenoid compounds-
momordicinin,momordicilin, momordol
d) Cytotoxic ( ribosome
inactivating) proteinssuch as momorcharin &
momordin.
Uses
Bitter
melon is used as anti-diabetic. It contains lectin that has insulin like
activity due to its non- protein specific linking toghther to insulin
receptors.
This
lectin lowers blood glucose level by acting on peripheral tissues. Lectin is a
major contributor to hypoglycemic effect.
Scientific
work done
Triterpenoids
Isolated from Bitter Melon has showed anti diabetic activity.
Dosage form
It is used as fresh juice, tincture, juice
extract & powered leaf.
Dose
Fresh juice- 57-113 gm
daily, Tincture- 1.3 ml/ twice/ daily, Juice extract- 300-600 mg, Powered leaf-
1-2 gm
FIERY COSTUS
Biological Source
It is obtained from the leaves of the plant
Costus igneus, belonging to the family Costaceae. Chemical
Constituents
The
main chemical constituents are Beta-carotene, deoxyribose, phenol, flavonoids,
insulin precursors.
Uses
The
leaves of insulin plant reduced the fasting and postprandial blood sugar
levels, bringing them down towards normal. Reduction in the fasting and the
postprandial blood sugar levels with leaves of insulin plant was comparable
with that
obtained with Glibenclamide 500 µg/kg at 250 mg/kg/day and 500 mg/kg/day of
powdered leaves of the insulin plant.
The
hypoglycemic action can be due to release of insulin, insulin-sensitizing
action or a combination of both. Hence further studies need to be undertaken to
determine the mechanism of action by measurement of either insulin or 'C'
eptide level.
Scientific work done
Costus igneus has showed
effect on hyperglycemia.
Dosage Forms
It is used as oral
hypoglycemic agent, or as i.v. injection
Dose- Tablet- 1 tablet/ day
DANDELION
Biological Source
It
is obtained from the leaves of Taraxacum officinale, belonging to the family
Asteraceae.
Chemical Constituents
1. Sesquiterpene lactones
(bitters): taraxinic acid (taraxacin),
tetrahydroridentin B
2. Triterpenoids and
sterols: taraxasterol, taraxerol, cycloartenol,
beta-sitosterol
3.Other: Vitamin A, Vitamin
C, tannins, alkaloids, pectin, insulin, starch,
potassium, beta
carotene, caffeic acid,
flavonoids (apigenin)
Uses
It is a good antidiabetic
drug. It can lower the blood glucose level .Tests on diabetic mice show that
dandelion extract may help regulate blood sugar and keep cholesterol in check.
Scientific work done
Dandelion has showed
antihyperglycemic effect.
Dosage forms
Capsules, tinctures, and
teas containing dandelion leaves, roots, flowers, or the entire plant is used.
Doses
Capsules taken after each
meal
Adult doses: There is
disagreement on the optimal form and dose of dandelion. Reputable physicians
and herbalists recommend a range of doses :
Fresh leaves: 4-10 grams
daily
Dried leaves: 4-10 grams
daily
Fresh leaf juice: 1 tsp (4-8
ml) twice daily
Fluid extract: 1-2 teaspoons
daily
Fresh roots: 2-8 grams daily
Dried powdered extract:
250-1000 mg three to four times daily
Tea: Pour 2 cups boiling
water over one ounce of fresh leaves and steep for 10 minutes.
Or, boil 1 cup of water with
2-3 tsp of dried, cut root for 15 minutes. Cool.
Pediatric dosages: Unknown
FRENCH LILAC
Biological Source
It
consists of the aerial parts of the plant, flowers, leaf, stem, seeds of the
plant alega officinalis, belonging to the family Fabaceae.
Chemical Constituents
Oleanane & ursane type
triterpinoids like sophoradiol, soyasapogenol b, & 9- sitosterol,
Sophorediol,galactogil,galegine,peganine,
hydroxygalegine,vasicinone, alkaloids like lutein, pentahydroxyflavone 5
glucoside, luteoline, galuteoline, luteoline 5 glucosides,flavonoids, saponines
etc.
Uses
It has been known since the
Middle Ages for relieving the symptoms of diabetes mellitus.
Upon
analysis, it turned out to contain compounds related to guanidine, a substance
that decreases blood sugar by mechanisms including a decrease in insulin
resistance, but were too toxic for human use. Georges Tanret identified an
alkaloid from this plant (galegine) that was less toxic, and this was evaluated
in clinical trials in patients with diabetes in the 1920s and 1930s.
Other
related compounds were being investigated clinically at this time, including
biguanide derivatives. This work led ultimately to the discovery of metformin
(Glucophage), currently recommended in international guidelines for diabetes
management as the first choice for antidiabetic pharmacotherapy alongside diet
and exercise and the older agent
phenformin, which has been withdrawn in most countries due to an unacceptable
risk of lactic acidosis (the risk of lactic acidosis with metformin is no
higher than with other antidiabetic therapies when it is prescribed according
to its label
The
study of galegine and related molecules in the first half of the 20th century
is regarded as an important milestone in the development of oral antidiabetic
pharmacotherapy.
Dosage form
It is used as herbal
infusion, tincture & leaves.
Doses- Herbal infusion-
twice daily, Tincture- thrice daily
TURMERIC
Biological Source
It consists of dried fresh
rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa belonging to the family Zingiberaceae.
Chemical Constituents
Turmeric
contains 5% of volatile oil, resin, zingiberaceous starch grains & yellow
coloured curcuminoids. The chief components of curcuminoids is known as
curcumin. Volatile oil is composed of mono and sesquiterpens such as alpha &
beta pinene, alpha- phellandrene, camphor, camphene, zingiberene, alpha &
beta curcumenes.
Use
It is used as anti-
diabetic drug
Scientific works done
1. Turmeric has showed
hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic &
antioxidant activity
2. Turmeric has shown effect
in diabetes.
Dosage form
Powdered form of turmeric is
used.
Dose
Powdered turmeric- 500-8000
mg/ day
CINNAMON
Biological source
It consists of dried inner
bark of shoots of coppiced trees of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, belonging to the
family Lauraceae.
Chemical constituents
Cinnamon bark contains volatile oil, tannins,
mucilage, calcium oxalate, starch & mannitol. Cinnamon oil contains
cinnamaldehyde, other terpenes like phellandrene, pinene, cymene,
caryophyllene.
Uses
Cinnamon is used in the
treatment of type II diabetes mellitus &
insulin resistance.
Scientific works done
1. Alcoholic Extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Leaves has shown
antidiabetic Activity.
2. Cinnamon improves glucose
and lipid of people
Dosage form
It is mostly used as powdered
form.
Dose
Powder- ½ teaspoon daily
ONION
Biological source
It is obtained from the bulb
of the plant Allium cepa, belonging to the family Liliaceae.
Chemical
constituents
It
contains essential amino acid composition of arginine, histidine, lysine, tryptophan,
phenylalanine, methionine, threonine, leucine & isoleucine. The bulb on
steam distillation yields an essential oil known as onion oil. The bulb
contains several phenolic acid, such as protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic
acid, vanillic
acid, caffeic acid, & o & p- coumaric acids. Citric, abietic, oxalic
and mialic acids are also present. It also contains several oligo- saccharides.
Uses
Onion
consists of an active ingredient called APDS (allyl propyl disulphide). APDS
has been shown to block the breakdown of insulin by the liver and possibly to
stimulate insulin production by the pancreas, thus increasing the amount of
insulin and reducing sugar levels in the blood. It is found to lower lipid
levels, inhibit platelet aggregation and are antihypertensive. So, liberal use
of onion is recommended for diabetes patients.
Scientific work done
Clinical Hypoglycemic effect
of Allium cepa (Red onion) has been seen.
Dosage forms
Raw & boiled onion
extracts are used. APDS can also be administered orally.
Dose
APDS- 125 mg/ kg to fasting humans.
GARLIC
Biological source
It
consists of bulbs of the plant known as Allium sativum, belonging to the
Liliaceae.
Chemical constituents
Garlic bulbs contain 29% of carbohydrate,
about 56%
of proteins (albumin), 0.1% of fat, mucilage, and 0.06- 0.1% of volatile oil.
It also contains phosphorus, iron & copper. Volatile oil of the drug is the
chief active constituent, and contains allyl propyl disulphide, diallyl
disulphide, alliin and llicin. Alliin by action of enzyme allinlyase is
converted into allicin. Garlic oil is yellow in
colour.
Use
Garlic
cloves lower blood sugar significantly. Subsequently, scientific studies have
proven that the presence of disulfides in garlic such as allyl propyl and
diallyl sulfide have played a role in the decrease of blood glucose levels.
They have been seen to have actions similar to Tolubutamide, a sulfonylurea
drug of the first generation. They act on the pancreas and stimulate the
production of insulin so as to control the sugar levels in the blood. It is
those patients with type 2 diabetes who benefit the most out of this.
Scientific work done
Anti-diabetic and
hypolipidaemic properties of garlic has been seen.
Dosage form
Juice extract of it is used.
Dose
Juice extract- 50 ml / daily
GINSENG
Biological Source
It is obtained from the
dried roots of Panax ginseng, belonging to the family Araliaceae.
Chemical Constituents
Ginseng
contains a mixture of several saponin glycosides, belonging to triterpenoid
group. They are grouped as follows :
1) Ginsenosides
2) Panaxosides
3) Chikusetsusaponin
Ginsenosides contain
aglycone dammarol while panaxosides have oleanolic acid as aglycone. About 13
ginsenosides have been identified. Panaxosides give oleanolic acid, panaxadiol
& panaxatriol on decomposition.
Use
It is used as hypoglycemic
agent.
Scientific works done
1. Use of Ginseng in
diabetes.
2. Ginseng has shown hypoglycemic
effect.
Dosage forms
Dried root and tincture are
used.
Doses
Dried root- 0.5- 9 gm/
daily, Tincture- 0.2- 3/ one to three times daily
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