Hypoglycemic effect of a few medicinal plants
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Hypoglycemic effect of a few medicinal plants
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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K.S. Santoshkumari, K.S Devi
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Hypoglycemic effect of a few medicinal plants
Year: 1990
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Diabetes remains a significant health challenge despite the advancements in treatment options, which include various hypoglycemic agents such as insulin and oral medications. In many regions of India, traditional remedies continue to play a crucial role in managing diabetes. This study investigates the hypoglycemic effects of several indigenous plants鈥擮cimum sanctum, Aegle marmelos, Azadiracta indica, and Murraya koenigii鈥攐n streptozotocin-induced diabetic rabbits. The research aimed to assess the efficacy of these plants in lowering blood sugar levels, particularly focusing on Aegle marmelos, which was found to exhibit the most pronounced effects.
Significance of Aegle Marmelos
Among the tested plants, Aegle marmelos (Kuvalam) demonstrated remarkable hypoglycemic action when prepared in various solvents. The study involved multiple experiments, including evaluations of the plant's effects on both diabetic and normal rabbits, glucose tolerance tests, and long-term feeding studies. The results indicated that Aegle marmelos significantly reduced fasting blood sugar levels in diabetic subjects, particularly when administered as an extract in milk or in the juice of Benincasa cerifera. Notably, the effects were most substantial at the 150-minute mark after administration, showcasing a potential therapeutic role for Aegle marmelos in diabetes management.
Conclusion
The findings from this study suggest that Aegle marmelos has considerable hypoglycemic properties that could benefit diabetes control. Its effectiveness, particularly in specific solvent preparations, opens avenues for further research on isolating and understanding the active principles responsible for its medicinal effects. As diabetes continues to pose significant health risks, incorporating indigenous plants like Aegle marmelos into treatment protocols may offer supplementary therapeutic strategies for managing this chronic condition. Further investigations are required to elaborate on the mechanisms underlying its hypoglycemic action and to assess its potential for broader clinical applications.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the aim of the study on medicinal plants?
The study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects of indigenous plants, specifically Ocimum sanctum, Aegle marmelos, Azadiracta indica, and Murraya koenigii, on blood sugar levels in streptozotocin-diabetic rabbits.
Which plant showed the most significant hypoglycemic effect?
Aegle marmelos demonstrated the most notable hypoglycemic action among the plants tested, with various preparations resulting in significant reductions in blood glucose levels.
How was diabetes induced in the rabbits for the experiment?
Diabetes was induced in rabbits by administering streptozotocin at a dosage of 65 mg/kg body weight dissolved in citrate buffer, as per the method described by Lazarus and Shapiro.
What adverse health condition does the study address?
The study addresses diabetes, a serious health hazard despite advances in treatment, and examines natural remedies from local plants as potential hypoglycemic agents.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for 鈥淗ypoglycemic effect of a few medicinal plants鈥�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Blood:
Blood is the vital fluid that circulates through the body of rabbits, providing a medium for delivering nutrients, gases, and other substances. In this study, blood samples were collected to measure glucose levels, which is crucial for evaluating the hypoglycemic effects of various medicinal plants on diabetes.
2) Aegle marmelos:
Aegle marmelos, commonly known as Bael, is highlighted in this research for its notable hypoglycemic effects on diabetic rabbits. Extracts from its leaves were tested in various solvents to evaluate efficacy in lowering blood sugar levels, supporting its traditional use in diabetes management.
3) Drug:
In the context of this study, 'drugs' refer to the medicinal plant extracts used to treat diabetes in rabbits. The effects of different preparations were observed and recorded, underscoring the significance of natural remedies in diabetes treatment compared to conventional pharmaceutical options.
4) Sugar:
Sugar refers to glucose in this study, a primary energy source in the body that is dysfunctional in diabetic conditions. The research focused on measuring blood sugar levels to determine the effectiveness of the plant extracts in lowering these levels in diabetic subjects.
5) Water:
Water serves as a solvent in preparing the medicinal plant extracts. The use of water was crucial in the experiments, as it facilitated the extraction of active compounds from the leaves, which are believed to contribute to the hypoglycemic effects observed in the study.
6) Milk:
Milk was used as a solvent in preparing Aegle marmelos extracts in one of the experimental setups. Its role was to evaluate how different mediums could influence the hypoglycemic effects of the plant extract on blood glucose levels in both normal and diabetic rabbits.
7) Ocimum sanctum:
Ocimum sanctum, also known as Holy Basil or Thulasi, is one of the indigenous plants tested for its impact on blood sugar levels. Its inclusion in the study highlights the exploration of traditional herbal remedies for their therapeutic potential in managing diabetes.
8) Discussion:
In the discussion section, the findings from the experimental results are analyzed and interpreted, providing insights into the effectiveness of the tested plant extracts. This section is essential for contextualizing the significance of the results and suggesting further research directions.
9) Kuvalam (K奴va岣穉m):
Kuvalam is the vernacular name for Aegle marmelos in the Indian context. Its identification as a traditional medicinal plant emphasizes the cultural relevance and historical use of indigenous flora in diabetes treatment and sets the stage for its scientific evaluation.
10) Science (Scientific):
Science in this study signifies the systematic investigation into the hypoglycemic effects of medicinal plants. The empirical methods used to evaluate the efficacy of these plants underscore the blending of traditional knowledge with scientific rigor to validate natural remedies.
11) Devi (Dev墨):
Devi refers to one of the authors, K.S. Devi, who contributed to the research conducted on hypoglycemic effects of indigenous medicinal plants. The involvement of researchers underscores the collaborative nature of scientific inquiries into herbal medicine and diabetes.
12) Rama (Ram膩, R膩m膩, R膩ma):
Rama refers to Rama Rao, whose work is cited in the references for providing comprehensive knowledge about flowering plants in the region. His contributions support the academic foundation of the study, reinforcing the link between traditional medicinal practices and documented scientific literature.
13) Neem:
Neem, scientifically known as Azadiracta indica, is another indigenous plant investigated in this study for its potential hypoglycemic properties. Its historical use in traditional medicine for various ailments, including diabetes, demonstrates the importance of such plants in health management.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: 鈥�Hypoglycemic effect of a few medicinal plants鈥�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Aegle marmelos, Medicinal plant, Blood sugar level, Hypoglycemic effect, Diabetic rabbits.