Quality standards and anti diabetic activity of some flavonoid containing plants

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder. It occurs due to insulin deficiency and is characterized by hyperglycaemia, altered metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and protein. It is also associated with increased risk of vascular complication. The deficiency of insulin may be absolute or relative. Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia and fatigue are the classic symptoms of metabolic abnormalities which leads to the of long term complication of diabetes mellitus and includes gangrene, polyneuropathy and uraemia. newline1. Today, there is a novel interest in traditional medicine in all over the world as an alternative to pure synthetic medicines because of various problems associated with them (Manimaran and Suresh, 2002). These problems include :- newlineand#61607; High cost (almost US $ 2000 million), long time (15-20 years) are involved in the development of new drag. Several side effects and adverse reactions and poor success are also associated with them. newlineand#61607; Inadequate, especially in the management of certain chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes. newlineMedicinal plant sector has traditionally occupied an important position in the socio-cultural, spiritual and medicinal arena of rural and tribal lives of India. Demand for medicinal plants is increasing in both developing and developed countries due to gaining popularity over allopathic medicine because of various reasons. newlineand#61607; It has long history and experience of use and better patient tolerances as well as public acceptance. The cultivation and processing is environmental friendly and sources are renewable. There is easy availability at affordable prices, especially in the developing countries with better patient compliance and less side effects. newlineand#61607; They are highly useful in treatment of chronic diseases like asthma where current therapy is not highly effective newlineand#61607; Modern pharmacopoeias still contain at least 25% derived from isolated compounds from plants. newlineA large number of plant preparations have been reported to possess antidiabetic activity over last several decades. A database of