Potential Antidiabetic Herbal Drugs: A Comparative Review of Marketed Products

Sharma N¹*, Sharma M² and Bindal MC³

University Institute of Pharmacy, C.S.J.M. University, Kanpur-208024

²Department of Pharmacy, G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur

³Maharana Pratap College of Pharmacy, Mandhana, Kanpur

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is one of the world’s oldest known diseases. In 1997, diabetes prevalence was introduced as a "basic health indicator" for member states by the WHO, which estimated in 1995 that the number of people with diabetes in the world would reach 300 million by 2025. Although the symptoms of diabetes mellitus were documented in the Papyrus Ebers nearly 3500 years ago, a truly effective means of treating the disease has not been found. Insulin controls blood sugar levels and prevents keto-acidosis but it does not control all the defects of diabetes. The currently available oral hypoglycemic agents in allopathic system of medicine are no more effective than insulin in combating the wide variety of complications of diabetes. At present we are able to treat only symptoms but not the disease. The remedial measure may lie in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. The various herbal drugs such as Gymnema sylvestris, Pterocarpus marsuprium, Syzygium cumini etc. known for their potential hypoglycemic (antidiabetic) activity shall be discussed. The various branded herbal formulations like Madhu meh-hari, Diabecon, Merciana, Madhuhari etc. available in the market as antidiabetic remedies are also discussed along with their clinical merits. It may be concluded that since ayurvedic formulations contain number of ingredients in which one ingredient may act to enhance the action of other ingredient. Also as a result of diabetes other related diseases like wound healing capacity, eye diseases, renal infections etc may be taken care of with ayurvedic formulations that contain various ingredients in it.

KEYWORDS: Diabetes, Ayurvedic Herbal Drugs, Marketed Products,

INTRODUCTION:

The polyuric states, clinically resembling diabetes mellitus, were described as early as 1550 BC, in the ancient Egyptian papyrus discovered by George Ebers, the sweet taste of diabetic urine associated with polyuria were noted and clinically described first in 5th– 6th century AD in Sanskrit literature by Indian physicians Susruta and Charaka¹, followed by Thomas Willis in the 17th century. Susruta and Charaka described urine of certain polyuric patients tasting like honey (madhu). The Indian description of that period distinguished two forms of diabetes, one affecting the older and obese, and the other affecting thin people who did not survive long; the fortuitous parallel with the present-day subdivisions of diabetes into insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent types.

In Western literature though, the word ‘diabetes’ (Ionian Greek; meaning to pass through) was first used by Aretaeus of Cappadocia in the 2^nd century AD as a generic description for conditions causing increased urine output². It was the English physician John Rollo (1809) who introduced the adjective ‘mellitus’ (Latin-Greek; meaning honey) to distinguish the conditions from other polyuric diseases in which glycosuria does not occur and the urine is tasteless. Later, Matthew Dobson made it clear that serum as well as urine of a diabetic patient contained a sweet tasting substance and that it was sugar⁴.

SOME OF THE CRUDE DRUGS USED FOR ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY:

Table No.1: The prominent medicinal herbs which have been reported in literature to posses hypoglycemic activity are described below

Botanical name	Vernacular names	Family	Reported activity
Blighia sapida	Akee apple	Sapindaceae	Hypoglycemic^5,6, Dysentery^7, Ophthalmic conjunctivitis.^7
Coccinia indica	Kunduru	Cucurbitaceae	Hypoglycemic^8, Antioxidant^9, Antibacterial.^10
Ficus racemosa	Gular	Moraceae	Antidiabetic^11, Hepatoprotective.^12
Gymnema sylvestris	Mrasingi	Asclepiadaceae	Hypoglycemic, Obesity, Anti-Inflammatory.^13
Lagerstroemia speciosa	Pride of India, banaba	Lythraceae	Hypoglycemic^14,Anti-Inflammatory.^15
Momordica charantia	Karela	Cucurbitaceae	Hypoglycemic^16, Antioxidant and Chemoprotective.^17
Syzygium cumini	Jamun	Myrtaceae	Hypoglycemic,^18 Antimicrobial.^19
Acacia arabica	Babool	Leguminoseae	Hypoglycemic, Hepatoprotective, Antidiarrhoeal.^20
Actinodaphne hookeri	Pisa	Lauraceae	Hypoglycemic^21.
Adiantum caudalum	Mayur shikha	Pteridophyta	Antitussive^22, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antipyretic, Anticancer^23
Casearia esculenta	Saptaragni	Samydaceae	Hypoglycemic^24,25.
Coptis teeta	Mamira, Tiktamula	Ranunculaceae	Inflamed eyes,^26Antidiabetic, Leucorrhoea, Dysentry, Fever^27.
Cynara scolymus	Hathichuk	Asteraceae/Compositae	Liver dysfunction, Antiartheroisclerosis^28, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective^29.
Ficus bengalensis	Bargad	Moraceae	Antidiabetic, Rheumatism, Hpolipidaemic^30, Antioxidant^31.
Helicteres isora	Marorphali	Sterculaceae	Antispasmodic^32, Antidiabetic^33,34, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Ulcers, Wounds^35.
Kandelia rheedii	Guria	Rhizophoraceae	Antidiabetic^36
Kickxia ramosissima	Branched cancerwort, banwel	Scrophularaceae	Antidiabetic^36
Musa paradisiaca	Kela	Musaceae	Antidiabetic^37, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, colitis^38
Pithecellobium bigeminum	Kachlora, Kavhlota, Jungle jalebi	Leguminoseae, Mimosae	Antidiabetic and Antibacterial ^39.
Santaloidea minus	Vidhara	Connaraceae	Antidiabetic, Rheumatism and Scurvy^40

TABLE 2: SOME MARKETED AYURVEDIC FORMULATIONS AND THEIR INGREDIENTS USED FOR TREATMENT OF DIABETES

S. no.	Product	Ingredients
1.	Madhumehhari	Syzygium cumini, Momordica charantia, Gymnema sylvestre, Pterocarpus marsupium, Tinospora cordifolia, Curcuma longa, Cinnamomum, Emblica officinalis, Plumbago zeylanica, Shilajit, Aegle marmelos, Acacia catechu, Azadirachta indica, Ficus racemosus/glomerata, Picrorrhiza kurroa ,Trigonella foenum, Abhrak bhasma, Trivang bhasma, Swarna bhasma, Swarna makrnile bhasm.
2.	Madhuhari	Momordica charantia, Tinospora cordifolia, Styrax officinalis, Azadirachta indica, Phyllanthus emblica, Aegle marmelos, Acacia Arabica, Trivang bhasma.
3.	Merciana	Syzygium cumini, Momordica charantia, Gymnema sylvestre, Tinospora cordifolia, Cassia auriculata, Glycyrrhiza glabra,
4.	Diabecon	Syzygium cumini, Momordica charantia, Sphaeranthus indicus, Gymnema sylvestre, Gmelina arborea, Pterocarpus marsupium, Tinospora cordifolia, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belarica, Curcuma longa, Gossipium herbaceum, Aloe vera, Berberis aristata, Commiphora wighti, Ocimum sanctum, Asparagus racemosus, Swertia chirayata, Tribulus terrestris, Rumex maritimus, Casearia esculenta, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Boeharavia diffusa, Phyllanthus amarus, Piper nigrum, Abutilon indicum, Abhrak bhasma, Praval bhasma, Vang bhasma, Yashad bhasma, Vidangadi bhasma, Akik pishti, Shingraf.
5.	Diabon	Momordica charantia, Styrax officinalis, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belarica, Ficus racemosus/ glomerata, Piper cubeba.
6.	Dibex	Momordica charantia, Pterocarpus marsupium.
7.	Tribangshila	Momordica charantia, Gymnema sylvestre, Pterocarpus marsupium, Styrax officinalis, Azadirachta indica, Trivang bhasma
8.	Cogent db	Syzygium cumini, Azadirachta indica, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belarica, Curcuma longa.
9.	Diabaquit	Syzygium cumini, Momordica charantia, Gymnema sylvestre, Tinospora cordifolia, Azadirachta indica, Phyllanthus emblica, Curcuma longa, Aegle marmelos, Trigonella foenum.

OTHER CLINICAL MERITS OF INGREDIENTS USED IN MARKETED AYURVEDIC ANTIDIABETIC FORMULATIONS:

S. no.	Botanical Name	Family	Clinical Merits	Common name
1	Syzygium cumini	Myrtaceae	Anti-inflammatory^41, Antioxidant ^42, Analgesic, Heart, Liver trouble, Antidiabetic^43.	Jamun
2	Momordica charantia	cucurbitaceae	Antioxidant, Chemoprotective^44, Immunomodulatory^45, Hypocholesterimic and Antidiabetic^46	Karela
3	Sphaeranthus indicus	Asteraceae	Immunostimulant^47, Wound healing^48, Antidiabetic^49, Rejuvenating^50.	Mundi
4	Gymnema sylvestre	Asclepiadaceae	Anti-inflammatory^51, Carditonic and liver tonic^52, Antidiabetic^53and Hypolipidemic^54	Gurmar
5	Gmelina arborea	Verbenaceae	Anti-inflammatory and Antidiabetic^55and56.	Gambhari
6	Pterocarpus marsupium	Fabaceae	Anti-cataract^57, Hepatoprotective^58, Antihyperglycemic^59 and Antihyperlipidemic activities^60.
7	Tinospora cordifolia	Menispermaceae	Hepatoprotectant and Immunomodulant^61, Diuretic, General debility, Antileprotic, Chronic rheumatism, Diabetesand malarial fevers^62.	Guduchi
8	Styrax officinalis	Styracaceae	Antibacterial, Asthma, Cold, Uterine disease^63 , Anti-inflammatory^64.	Loban
9	Azadirachta indica	Meliaceae	Immunomodulatory, Antifungal, Antidiabetic, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Anti-fertility^65.	Neem
10	Phyllanthus emblica	Phyllanthaceae	Anti-inflammatory, Antianemic, Diuretic, Antisenescent, reduces LDL, In bronchitis and antioxidant^66, Immunomodulatory^67 and Diabetes^68, etc.	Amla
11	Terminalia chebula	Combretaceae	Antifungal activity, Antiviral, Hepatoprotective, Cardioprotective, Antimutagenic/anticarcinogenic, Cytoprotective, Antioxidant, Radioprotective, Hypolipidemic, Antidiabetic and retinoprotective, Wound healing, Anti-ulcerogenic, Immunomodulatory^69.	Harad
12	Terminalia belarica	Combretaceae	Hepatoprotective, Eye diseases, hypolipidemic, antitussive, antiasthamatic^70.	Baheda
13	Curcuma longa	Zingiberaceae	HIV-1 and HIV-2 protease inhibitor,Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic, Anti cancerous^71and72.	Haldi
14	Cinnamomum	Lauraceae	Anti-diabetic, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial^73.	Dalchini
15	Gossipium herbaceum	Malvaceae	Snake bite, Liver tonic, Rheumatoid arthritis, Anaemia, Leprosy, Diuretic, Antipyretic^74.	Kapas
16	Aloe vera	Liliaceae/ Asphodelaceae	Antidiabetic, Immuno Stimulant, Anti-inflammatory, Antiviral, Antitumor, Antidiabetic, Anti-HIV, Anticancerous^75.	Gwarpattha
17	Berberis aristata	Berberidaceae	Antidiabetic, Anti-inflammatory, Antifungal, Anticancerous, Eye complaints^76.	Daruharidra
18	Plumbago zeylanica	Plumbaginaceae	Gonorrhoea, Tuberculosis, Rheumatic pain, Leprosy, Ulcer, Leucoderma^77.	Chitraka
19	Shilajeet, Asphaltum	------------	Gravel or stones in the bladder, AIDS, Arthritis, Cancer, Cardivascular diseases, Diabetes and Rejuvenative^78 Antifungal, Immunomodulatory, Dysuria^79	Shilajeet
20	Commiphora wighti	Burseraceae	Hypolipidemic, Antiarthritic, Hypertension ^80.	Guggul
21	Ocimum sanctum	Lauraceae	Antifertility, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Hepatoprotective, Cardioprotective, Antiemetic, Antispasmodic, Analgesic, Adaptogenic and Diaphoretic actions^81,82.	Tulsi
22	Asparagus racemosus	Liliaceae	Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Antidiabetic, Immunomodulatory, Adaptogenic activity^83, Anticarcinogenic^84	Satavar
23	Swertia chirayata	Gentianaceae	Malarial fever, Vomiting, Hypertension , Diabetes and Worm ^85.	Chirayata
24	Tribulus terrestris	Zygophyllaceae	Diuretic, Antiurolithiatic, CNS stimulant, Antioxidant and Antihypertensive, Tonic, Aphrodisiac^86.	Gokhru
25	Aegle marmelos	Rutaceae	Hepatoprotective^87, Antidiabetic, Dyspepsia, Stomachalgia, Gastric irritability, Digestive, Laxative, Anti ulcer, Antistress and Adaptogenic^88, Radioprotective^89.	Bael
26	Rumex maritimus	Polygonaceae	Antidiarrhoeal, Refrigerant, Antipyretic, Cathartic and Aphrodisiac activity, treat burns and back pain, Anti-inflammatory^90.	Jungle palak
27	Salacia chinesis	Celastraceae	Hypotensive^91, Antirheumatic^92, Antidiabetic^93.	Koranti, Vairi.
28	Casearia esculenta	Samydaceae	Antidiabetic^94, Antioxidant and Antilipidperoxidase^95.	Saptarangi
29	Cassia auriculata	Caesalpiniaceae	Liver disease, Leprosy, Conjunctivitis, Asthma, Gout , Antihyperlipidemic, Anti-inflammatory^96, Antiulcer and Antipyretic^97, Hypoglycemic^98.	Aavartaki
30	Glycyrrhiza glabra	Leguminoseae	Antidiabetic^99, Expectorant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti ulcer^100.	Mulaithi
31	Boerhaavia diffusa	Nyctaginaceae	Hepatoprotective^101, Anti-inflammatory^102, Antidiabetic^103.	Punernava
32	Phyllanthus amarus	Euphorbiaceae	Anti-diabetic^104 and Anticholesterolemic^105 properties, Anti-cancerous, Anti-inflammatory activity^106.	Bahupatra Bhuiamla
33	Piper nigrum	Piperaceae	Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant activity^107, Antiulcer^108, Antidiabetic^109, Stimulant, Diuretic, Fever, Rubefacient^110.	Kali mirch
34	Abutilon indicum	Malvaceae	Wound healing, ^111, Hypoglycemic^112, Hepatoprotective^113, Anti-inflammatory, Anthelmintic, Hyperlipidemic activity^114. Analgesic^115	Atibala, Kangi
35	Acacia arabica (nilotica)	Leguminoseae	Antihypertensive and Antispasmodic^116 Antioxidant^117, Antidiabetic, Eye complaints, Diahorea, Dysentry, Wounds, Ulcers, Asthma, Urinary problems^118.	Babul
36	Acacia catechu	Leguminoseae	Antidiarhoeal, Leprosy, Dysentry, Rheumatism, Cancer, Asthma^118, Hypoglycemic ^119, Hepatoprotective^120.	Kattha
37	Picrorrhiza kurroa	Scrofluariaceae	Hepatoprotective121. Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immunomodulatory^122	Kutki
38	Trigonella foenum	Leguminosae	Hypoglycemic^123, Immunomodulatory^124, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic^125.	Methi
39	Piper cubeba	Piperaceae	Anti-inflammatory, Antiestrogenic^126, Catarrh, Diuretic, Asthma, Rheumatism^127.	Kawab chini
40	Abhrak bhasma	Ash from Talc	Hepatoprotective^128, Nervine tonic. Diabetes, Eyes, Cardiac Problem, Gives strength to body^129 etc.
41	Praval bhasma	Corallium rubrum - coral calcined	Antacid, Used in cough, phthisis, Scrofulous affections, Spermotorrhoea, Pulmonary haemorrhage and Calcium deficiency, Eye problems, Skin problems^129 In osteoporosis^130etc.
42	Vang bhasma	Tin Calx	Good detoxifier; Cleanses the urinary tract and improves digestion. Diuretic and urinary antiseptic. Used in urinary disorders and General debility, Skin diseases^129.
43	Yashad bhasma	Zinc oxide Calcineo,	In myopia^131, Diuretic, Hypoglycemic, Astringent, Internal haemorrhage, Urinary disorders, Night blindness, Eye troubles, Tuberculosis^132.
44	Trivang bhasma	combination of three bhasmas namely Naga, Vanga and Yashaha Bhasma.	In Diabetes associated with conditions like joint pains and boils^129 etc.
45	Swarna bhasma	Ash of Gold (calcined gold)	Used in leucoderma, Rheumatoid arthritis, Hepato-tonic, Cardio stimulant, Asthma, Tuberculosis, Anemia, Epilepsy, Immunomodulatory. Nervine tonic, Aphrodisiac, Emmenagogue gogue and Increase sexual power, Stimulates activity of stomach, Skin and kidney causing diaphoresis^132, 134.
46	Swarna makshik bhasm	Copper Pyrite (calcined) , Mercury, Sulphur (Purified)	Anemia, Jaundice, Stomatitis, Chronic fever^133
47	Vidangadi bhasma	Fluorspar, CaF	Arthritis, Strengthens teeth and muscles^133
48	Akik pishti	Processed agate	Carditonic, Haemostatic and Antacid, Used in haemorrhage, Epilepsy, Weak heart, Eye trouble, Asthma, Bronchitis and Restores strength and vigour, Kidney stones, Liver troubles^129.
49	Shingraf	Cinnabar Mineral ore of mercury	Increases RBC, Impoverishes Blood, Liver Complaints, Counteracts toxins in blood^133

Diabetes is a chronic disorder as a result of failure of body to control blood sugar levels adequately and is characterized by high blood sugar levels and abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The normal fasting blood sugar levels are in the range of 75-115 mg/dL (milligrams/deciliter of blood). Diabetes – excessive urination; mellitus- honey i.e. honeyed urine which is excessive (Sanskrit- Madhu-honey; meha-urine) Diabetes insipidus- insipid or tasteless.

Diabetes Mellitus is a syndrome characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism associated with absolute or relative deficiency in insulin secretion and/or insulin action. Insulin allows glucose (sugar) to enter body cells and be converted to energy. Insulin is also needed to synthesize protein and store fats. In uncontrolled diabetes, glucose and lipids (fats) remain in the bloodstream and, with time, damage the body's vital organs and contribute to heart disease³.

Diabetes mellitus has some common characteristics like Hypoglycemia, Proneness to some complications (where the disease is long standing) like atherosclerosis and other vascular disorders/Kwashiorkor syndrome and other renal disorders/ autonomic and peripheral neuropathy, proneness to infection and others (eg. lipid) metabolic disorders and so on.

TYPES OF DIABETES:²

Type I: Juvenile onset diabetes or IDDM (Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) caused by lack of insulin hormone accounts for about 10% of the total cases of the disease and is afflicted quite early in the life.

Type II: Maturity onset diabetes or NIDDM (Non Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus ) caused by obesity, stress and sedentary life style accounts for about 90% of the total cases of the disease and is associated with defect in insulin secretion and insulin resistance.

AYURVEDA IN MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES:

Ayurveda, the ancient healing system from India, has steadily increased in popularity in the western world in recent years. This 5,000 year old system of medicine recommends a combination of lifestyle management (which includes diet, exercise and meditation), and treatment with specific herbs and minerals to cure various diseases. The botanicals in the Ayurvedic materia medica have been proven to be safe and effective, through several hundred to several thousand years of use. Ayurvedic physicians have treated diabetes for thousands of years using a combination of regulated lifestyle and herbal formulations.

CONCLUSION:

Herbal medicines make an enormous contribution to primary health care and have shown great potential in modern Phyto-medicine against numerous ailments and the complex diseases and ailments of the modern world. There will always be risks when appropriate regulations do not mandate the appropriate formulation of the remedies or when self-medication fosters abuse.

Clearly, strategic planning for research in herbal medicine is needed. The lack of a pharmacological basis for the efficacy and toxicity and clinical data on the majority of herbal medicines is the major constraint to the integration of herbal medicine into conventional medicinal practices. Adverse events, including drug–herb interactions, must also be monitored to promote the safe integration of efficacious medicines into conventional medical practices.

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Received on 30.11.2009

Accepted on 10.02.2010

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Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2(2): March -April 2010, 115-121