Antihyperglycemic and Antioxidant Properties of Jatropha curcas and Jatropha gossypifolia (Linn) Extracts

Abstract

The World Health Organization recommends the use of traditional medicines, including herbs, to maintain public health and prevent and treat diseases, especially chronic diseases, degenerative diseases, and cancer. Traditional medicine has relatively fewer side effects than modern pharmaceutical medicine. There have been many studies that explore secondary metabolites in plants. Among them, several plant species have been found to have antidiabetic properties. One of these plants is Jatropha curcas (Linn). Scientifically, it is known to exhibit antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity. Phytochemical screening shows that the leaves of this plant species contain alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins, which are potentially antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory agents.