Ethnobotanical Plants in management of Diabetes Mellitus (Type-II): A Global Perspective

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a very critical metabolic disorder characterized by constant hyperglycemia resulting from pancreatic irregularities in insulin secretion, its action, or a combination of both. There is a critical shift toward exploring ethnobotanical interventions due to the side effects and costs associated with conventional pharmaceuticals. This review analyzes the findings from 50 ethnobotanical and clinical studies to evaluate the phytochemistry, traditional preparation, clinical efficacy and biological mechanisms of several prominent medicinal plants, including Aloe vera, Brassica juncea , Catharanthus roseus, , Moringa oleifera, Momordica charantia, Ocimum sanctum, Syzygium cumini, Trigonella foenum-graecum, etc. Findings from clinical trials and meta-analyses suggest that these plants target multiple pathological pathways, including the stimulation of insulin secretion, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, and inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes. While many studies show significant potential as adjunct therapies, challenges remain regarding chemical standardization and the potential for narrow-therapeutic-index herb-drug interactions.