BIOLOGY GUIDED VALIDATION OF A POLYHERBAL COMBINATION WITH ANTIDIABETIC PROPERTIES FOR EFFICACY AND SAFETY

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is currently one of the most costly and burdensome chronic newlinediseases and is a condition that is increasing in epidemic proportions throughout the newlineworld (King et al., 1998). The diabetes pandemic mostly affects the developing newlinecountries like India. India now stands second, next to china with the largest number newlineof diabetic patients in the world. newlineAccording to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas newline(2011), there were an estimated 61.3 million persons with diabetes in India and this newlinenumber is predicted to rise to almost 101.2 million persons by 2030. The studies on newlineIndian population (Gupta, 2008) showed that the major risk factor for high prevalence newlineof type 2 diabetes mellitus are, genetic predisposition, insulin resistance, obesity, newlinecentral obesity (greater abdominal adiposity), urbanisation with change in diet habits newlineand sedentary life style. Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation in developing newlinecountries such as India have resulted in dramatic lifestyle changes leading to lifestyle newlinerelated diseases. Certain unique clinical and biochemical characteristics of this ethnic newlinegroup collectively called as the Asian Indian phenotype is considered to be one of newlinethe major factors contributing to the increased predilection towards diabetes and it is newlineestimated that every fifth person with diabetes will be an Indian (Mohan et al., 2007). newlineDiabetes is one of the world s leading chronic diseases and has serious social newlineand economic consideration. Billions of dollars are spent every year by healthcare newlinesystem for treating diabetes and its complications. International Diabetes Federation newline(IDF) Diabetes atlas (2011) reported that the prevalence of diabetes worldwide has newlineraised and the number would rise from 244.2 million in 2011 to 363 million in 2030. newline