A PERSPECTIVE ON REGENERATIVE POTENTIALS OF HERBS FOR DIABETES THERAPEUTICS

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus, one of the leading metabolic disorders, has become a worldwide pandemic and socioeconomic challenge where one in eleven adults are suffering from this condition. India is among the leading country that due to its populace’s changing lifestyle and genetic predisposition is harboring nearly 77 million diabetic patients. Current hypoglycemic drugs in the market that are used in the treatment of diabetes can merely manage the condition and have side effects. Hence, improved and effective strategies harboring herbal medicinal plants and bioactive drugs are needed in the paradigm of diabetes therapeutics. Various neutraceutical plants/bioactive focusing on anti-hyperglycemic, increased insulin secretion, pancreatic/beta cell regenerative properties, islet-neogenic properties, are stated. The positive antidiabetic effect and nutritional value of Enicostemma littorale have been extensively explored. Pancreatic/beta cell regenerative properties combined with the current stem cell/ regenerative technology demonstrating differentiation potential into insulin producing cells can thus become an attractive strategy for the therapeutic intervention. The traditional nutraceutical/ herbal medicines can provide an effective alternative to the synthetic side effects of the existing diabetes drugs which will not only improve our existing knowledge but will provide a novel effective clinically acceptable diabetic cure.