Pterocarpus marsupium: A valuable medicinal plant in diabetes management.

Pterocarpus marsupium (Roxb.) is large deciduous tree, commonly called as Indian Kino or Malabar Kino, belonging to the family fabaceae (Leguminoceae). The tree is scared with novel antidiabetic properties. Along with as an antidiabetic drug, it is also used as astringent, anti-inflammatory, haemostatic, anthelmintic, in chest pain, body pain and in indigestion, in diabetic anaemia, elephantiasis, erysipelas, urethrorrhea and opthalmopathy etc. Phytochemicaly, many phenolic constituents of which flavonoid comprising major pool, are forming the basis of most pharmacological activities possessed by Pterocarpus marsupium. The present review summarizes the phyto-pharmacological role of this valuable medicinal plant.