A Mechanistic Review on Phytomedicine and Natural Products in the Treatment of Diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome of excess glucose levels in the blood. It may be due to glucose intolerance by the tissues and inadequate insulin production from pancreatic ß- cells. However, diabetic complication includes cardiovascular and kidney diseases, eye, skin, and foot complications, and neuropathy. The intention behind writing this article was to gather recent information regarding the use of ancient traditional medicinal plants having recent importance in treating diabetes. Several therapies are available for curing the condition based on severity and type of diabetes. Although pharmacological treatments are effective and economical, drugs are associated with unwanted side effects and physiological complications on long-term use. Interestingly, herbs and herbal plants have been used since ancient times against diabetes worldwide. Its importance still exists due to medicinal plants' effectiveness and safety profile in treating various diseases. In this article, we searched online databases, including PUBMED, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, and traditional resources, for collecting information regarding the use of plants against diabetes. We described the pathophysiology of the disease and incorporated plant sources and their chemical constituents responsible for antidiabetic activity with their mechanism in reducing blood glucose levels. The present article may be very helpful for researchers and professionals whose work is inclined towards diabetes and in search of lead compounds for the development of a suitable drug.

Protective effect of Lygodium flexuosum (family: Lygodiaceae) against excision, incision and dead space wounds models in experimental rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lygodium flexuosum (Linn) Sw. is a climbing fern, and it is the sole genus in the family Lygodiaceae. It commonly grows epiphytically on moss covered tree trunks and branches as lithophytes on shady boulders along with moss. It has been reported as a traditional folkloric medicine for a variety of ailments particularly useful for carbuncles, inflammation, ulcer, various respiratory diseases, general disorders, muscle sprains and acts as panacea for wounds. However, there are no scientific reports on wound healing activity of the plant L. flexuosum (Linn) Sw. AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore the protective effect of L. flexuosum against excision, incision and dead space wounds models in experimental rats. METHODS: Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing between 180 and 220 g were topically treated with extract formulated in ointment using simple ointment BP as base. Ointments, 4% and 5% (w/w), were applied once daily in excision wound model. L. flexuosum ethanolic extract was given orally at a dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg in incision and dead space wound healing models. Rats of standard groups were treated with 0.2% nitrofurazone ointment topically. The percentage wound contraction, epithelization time in excision wound model; breaking strength in incision wound model and wet and dry granulation weight, hydroxyproline content were measured. RESULTS: Topical application of L. flexuosum in excision wound model increased the percentage of wound contraction, and the epithelization time was decreased. In the incision wound model, the breaking strength of wounds increased and in dead space model the weight of dry and wet granuloma of wounds and hydroxyproline was increased. Conclusively, the data of present study indicated that the leaf extract of L. flexuosum accelerated wound healing in rats and thus supports its traditional use.

A review on therapeutic potential of Lygodium flexuosum Linn.

From the centuries, herbal medicines are used to treat various diseases and now they had become an item of global importance, with both medicinal and economic implications. The demand of herbal medicine is being increasing day by day due to their safety and efficacy. Now herbals had taken over the allopathic system due to their less side effect and efficient working mechanism. Herbals are playing and pivotal role in increasing the economy of the country and had taken the nation on to the new path to achieve the goal of development. Lygodium flexuosum (Linn) Sw. is a fern found nearly throughout India up to an elevation of 1500 meter. It belongs to the family Lygodiaceae and widely used in treating various ailments like jaundice, dysmenorrhea, wound healing and eczema. It is the rich source of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and cumarin. The main constitute of the plant is lygodinolide which is mainly used in wound healing. In the present review an attempt had been made to explore different aspects of L. flexuosum.