Survey on the traditional medicinal plant species used to cure diabetes

The present study deals with the survey on the antidiabetic plant species with discussed to local people, which regulate the blood sugar level. Diabetes or Madhumeha is a disease in which there is an improper functioning of insulin and increase the sugar level in the blood. Diabetes may cause heart problem, kidney failure, blurred vision if not treated timely. Diabetes mellitus is increasing alarmingly worldwide and is defined as the abnormal glucose tolerance, which affects pancreatic beta-cells functions and sensitivity leading to the development of diabetes and its related complications. It is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism characterized by increased fasting and post prandial blood sugar level and an increased risk of vascular complications. For this problem the different plant parts such as root, stem, leaf, flower, seeds, fruits and their crude extracts that have been used in the Indian traditional system of medicine and have clinical anti-diabetic activity. In the present investigation we have conducted an ethnobotanical survey to collect information about the use of traditional medicinal plants for diabetes treatment. Our survey has reported 24 numbers of medicinal plants belonging to different families. Family Cucubritaceae was found to be of high frequency in terms of its use with a maximum of 3 species.