American Journal of Life Science © 2014, World of Researches Publication Researches www.worldofresearches.com Am. J. Life. Sci. Res. Vol. 3, Issue 1, 91-99, 2015 REWIEV ARTICLE Received 14 Oct. 2014 Accepted 24 Dec. 2014 Traditional Phytotherapy and FOLK LORE REMEDIES Used TO Cure Diabetes Satyaendra K. Shrivastava*1, Dr. P.K. Dubey1, Dr. B. Shrivastava2, Dr. Pankaj 2 Sharma 1 .Swami Vivekanand College of Pharmacy, Khandwa Road, Indore (M.P), India 2. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur (Rajasthan). *Corresponding Author: [email protected], [email protected] Abstract: Use of plants as a source of medicine has been an ancient practice and is an important component of the health care system in India. The World Health Organization Expert Committee on diabetes has recommended that traditional medicinal herbs be further investigated. Thus, plants are a potential source of anti-diabetic drugs but this fact has not gained enough momentum in the scientific community. Plants used to treat diabetes are of considerable interest as they are recognizing to contain valuable medicinal properties in different parts of the plant species with desire properties. Several species of plant are used in the treatment of diabetes, a disease affecting large number of people worldwide. The present paper enumerates several species used in the treatment of diabetes. Key words: Diabetes Mellitus, Herbs, Traditional Phytotherapy INTRODUCTION India has a rich history of using various potent herbs and herbal components for treating diabetes. Herbs are staging a comeback and herbal ‘renaissance’ is happening all over the globe. Many Indian plants have been investigated for their beneficial use in different types of diabetes. Despite tremendous advances in medicine during the past century, there is still no cure, which means that effective prevention and treatment is of paramount importance to prevent future increase in disease burden. Plants have always been an exemplary source of drugs and many of the currently available drugs have been derived directly or indirectly from them. The herbal products today symbolize safety in contrast to the synthetics that are regarded as unsafe to human and environment. Although herbs had been priced for their medicinal, flavoring and aromatic qualities for centuries, the synthetic products of the modern age surpassed their importance, for a while. However, the blind dependence on synthetics is over and people are returning to the naturals with hope of safety and security1-2. Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a group of Jan, 2015 91 Satyaendra et al., 2015 metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many complications. Acute complications include diabetic ketoacidosis and non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma. Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney failure, foot ulcers and damage to the eyes. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced3-5. There are three main types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 DM results from the body's failure to produce enough insulin. This form was previously referred to as "insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (IDDM) or "juvenile diabetes". The cause is unknown. Type 2 DM begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly. As the disease progresses a lack of insulin may also develop. This form was previously referred to as "non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (NIDDM) or "adult-onset diabetes". The primary cause is excessive body weight and not enough exercise. Gestational diabetes is the third main form and occurs when pregnant women without a previous history of diabetes develop a high blood glucose level. Prevention and treatment involves a healthy diet, physical exercise, not using tobacco and being a normal body weight. Blood pressure control and proper foot care are also important for people with the disease. Type 1 diabetes must be managed with insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes may be treated with medications with or without insulin. Insulin and some oral medications can cause low blood sugar. Weight loss surgery in those with obesity is an effective measure in those with type 2 DM. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after the birth of the baby6-7. Diabetes disease information has already been recorded to some extent by the earlier workers8-11. The present paper deals with traditional phytotherapy and folklore remedies for diabetes. The method of preparation and doses of administration of plant medicinal as suggested by the herbalists are recorded and reported in the present study. Enumerations The present study revealed the following herbs used in the treatment of diabetes. For proper and order study the botanical name, common name, part used, modes of use along with some description of the each species were present below: Abelmoschus esculentus well (Malvaceae), Bhindi, Fruit, Two vertically dissected fresh fruit are soaked overnight in ½ glass cold water and that leech ate water is taken every morning. It is also known in many English-speaking countries as ladies' fingers, bhindi, bamia, ochro or gumbo, is a flowering plant in the mallow family. It is valued for its edible green seed pods. The geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of West African, Ethiopian, and South Asian origins. The plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate January 2015 92 Traditional Phytotherapy and FOLK LORE REMEDIES Used TO Cure Diabetes regions around the world12. Abrus precatorius L.(Fabaceae), Ratti, Leaves, Juice twice a 25 day. It is a legume with long, pinnate-leafleted leaves. The plant is best known for its seeds, which are used as beads and in percussion instruments, and which are toxic due to the presence of Abrin. The plant is native to India and grows in tropical and subtropical areas of the world where it has been introduced. It has a tendency to become weedy and invasive where it has been introduced13-14. Aegle marmelos Corr. (Rutaceae), Beal, Leaves, One gram gum is eaten along with betleafe once daily. It is commonly known as bael, bengal quince, golden apple, stone apple, wood apple, bili, is a species of tree native to India. It is present throughout Southeast Asia as a naturalized species. The tree is considered to be sacred by Hindus. Its fruits are used in traditional medicine and as a food throughout its range15. Allium cepa (L.) (Liliaceae), Pyaz, Bulb, Use of raw vegetable along with rice. The onion also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is used as a vegetable and is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. This genus also contains several other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food, such as the Japanese bunching onion (A. fistulosum), the Egyptian onion (A. proliferum), and the Canada onion (A. canadense). The name "wild onion" is applied to a number of Allium species but A. cepa is exclusively known from cultivation and its ancestral wild original form is not known, although escapes from cultivation have become established in some regions. The onion is most frequently a biennial or a perennial plant, but is usually treated as an annual and harvested in its first growing season16. Allium satvium (L.) (Liliaceae), Garlic, Bulb, A raw bulbet are eaten once daily. It is commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo. With a history of human use of over 7,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa, and Europe. It was known to Ancient Egyptians, and has been used for both culinary and medicinal purpose17-18. Annona squmosa L. Sita (Annonaceae), Sitaphal, Fruits and Leaves, Powder with water daily in the morning. It is a small, well-branched tree or shrub from the family Annonaceae that bears edible fruits called sugar-apples. It tolerates a tropical lowland climate better than its relatives Annona reticulata and Annona cherimola (whose fruits often share the same name) helping make it the most widely cultivated of these species19. Argyeia nervosa (Burm. F.) Boj. (Convolvulaceae), Samdar kapat, Leaves, Pills made from the leaf past is given to diabetes patients for a long times. It is a perennial climbing vine that is native to the Indian subcontinent and introduced to numerous areas worldwide, including Hawaii, Africa and the Caribbean. Though it can be invasive, it is often prized for its aesthetic value. There are two botanical varieties: Argyrea nervosa var. nervosa described here, and Argyrea nervosa var. speciosa, a species used in ayurvedic medicine, but with little to Satyaendra et al., 2015 no psychoactive value20. Butea monosperma (Lamk) Taub (Fabaceae), Palas, Leaves, Aqueous extract of leaves and fruit is given 2 tea spoon full once day for diabetes for a long times. It is a species of Butea native to tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, ranging across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and western Indonesia. Common names include Palash, Dhak, Palah, Flame of the Forest, Bastard Teak, Parrot Tree, Keshu (Punjabi) and Kesudo (Gujurati). It is a medium sized dry season-deciduous tree, growing to 15 m tall. It is a slow growing tree, young trees have a growth rate of a few feet per year. The leaves are pinnate, with an 8–16 cm petiole and three leaflets, each leaflet 10–20 cm long. The flowers are 2.5 cm long, bright orange-red, and produced in racemes up to 15 cm long.