Anti-diabetic drug profile of unani medicinal plants [a phytochemical approach]

ABSTRACT

Diabetes arises due to lack of insulin, which is secreted by beta cells of the pancreatic islets. Insulin regulates carbohydrates, triglycerides and protein metabolism and control entry of glucose into the blood. Insufficient insulin results in hyperglycemia and develops symptoms of diabetes. Unani physicians have mentioned this disease as Dulab. It means there is a continuous intake of water and excessive discharge of urine. In this disease normal temperature of liver is altered due to continuous mental tension, anxiety, frustration, anger, fear, weakness of the nervous system and use of excessive hot and cold foods and drinks. These predisposing factors alter the temperature of the liver, which in turn affects the kidney indirectly. In Tibb-e-Unani many medicinal plants and mineral origin drugs have been mentioned to control diabetes. Worldwide approximately 343 plants have been proven in the laboratory experiments to possess hypoglycemic activity. A large variety of compounds obtained from several plant families were found to be responsible for the hypoglycemic activity. These include flavonoids, xantheues, triterpenoids alkaloids, glycosides, alkyl-disulphide, amino butyric acid derivatives, guanidinc, polysaccharides and peptides. There are several possible mechanisms of action of these active principles and plant sources