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Innovative Medicines & Omics Herbal remedies for diabetes mellitus

Table 4. Medicinal plants with antidiabetic activity and their mechanisms of action
No. Common name Botanical name Family Plant part Mechanism of action
used
1 Bitter melon Momordica charantia Cucurbitaceae Fruit Increases insulin secretion, enhances glucose uptake
2 Fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum Fabaceae Seeds Increases insulin secretion, delays carbohydrate absorption
3 Aloe vera Aloe barbadensis Asphodelaceae Leaf gel Improves insulin sensitivity, reduces fasting blood glucose
4 Holy basil (Tulsi) Ocimum sanctum Lamiaceae Leaves Enhances insulin secretion, reduces oxidative stress
5 Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum Lauraceae Bark Enhances insulin sensitivity, inhibits α-glucosidase
6 Garlic Allium sativum Amaryllidaceae Bulb Increases insulin secretion, reduces oxidative stress
7 Onion Allium cepa Amaryllidaceae Bulb Enhances insulin secretion, reduces blood glucose
8 Indian Phyllanthus emblica Phyllanthaceae Fruit Reduces glucose absorption, enhances insulin secretion
gooseberry
(Amla)
9 Curry leaves Murraya koenigii Rutaceae Leaves Delays carbohydrate absorption, enhances insulin function
10 Guava Psidium guajava Myrtaceae Leaves Reduces glucose absorption, increases insulin sensitivity
11 Gymnema Gymnema sylvestre Apocynaceae Leaves Inhibits glucose absorption, regenerates pancreatic β-cells
(Gurmar)
12 Neem Azadirachta indica Meliaceae Leaves Enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces glucose absorption
13 Jamun (Indian Syzygium cumini Myrtaceae Seeds Enhances insulin secretion, reduces blood glucose
Blackberry)
14 Berberis (Daru Berberis aristata Berberidaceae Root bark Inhibits α-glucosidase, enhances insulin secretion
Haldi)
15 Clove Syzygium aromaticum Myrtaceae Buds Enhances insulin secretion, reduces oxidative stress
16 Black pepper Piper nigrum Piperaceae Seeds Improves insulin sensitivity, reduces glucose absorption
17 Turmeric Curcuma longa Zingiberaceae Rhizome Reduces oxidative stress, enhances insulin sensitivity
18 Ginger Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae Rhizome Increases glucose uptake, reduces insulin resistance
19 Flaxseed Linum usitatissimum Linaceae Seeds Reduces glucose absorption, improves insulin sensitivity
20 Indian kino Pterocarpus marsupium Fabaceae Bark Regenerates pancreatic β-cells, enhances insulin secretion
(Vijaysar)
21 Moringa Moringa oleifera Moringaceae Leaves Enhances insulin secretion, reduces glucose absorption
(Drumstick)
22 Green tea Camellia sinensis Theaceae Leaves Reduces glucose absorption, improves insulin sensitivity
23 Black tea Camellia sinensis Theaceae Leaves Enhances insulin action, reduces blood glucose
24 Curry plant Helichrysum italicum Asteraceae Leaves Reduces glucose absorption, improves insulin action
25 Cumin Cuminum cyminum Apiaceae Seeds Enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces oxidative stress
26 Basil Ocimum basilicum Lamiaceae Leaves Enhances insulin secretion, reduces blood glucose
27 Coriander Coriandrum sativum Apiaceae Leaves & Increases insulin secretion, reduces blood glucose
seeds
28 Oregano Origanum vulgare Lamiaceae Leaves Improves insulin action, reduces blood glucose
29 Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Lamiaceae Leaves Enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces oxidative stress
30 Sage Salvia officinalis Lamiaceae Leaves Improves insulin function, reduces glucose absorption
31 Thyme Thymus vulgaris Lamiaceae Leaves Enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces oxidative stress
32 Bay leaf Laurus nobilis Lauraceae Leaves Enhances insulin action, reduces blood glucose
33 Indian barberry Berberis asiatica Berberidaceae Root bark Inhibits α-glucosidase, enhances insulin secretion
34 Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra Fabaceae Root Enhances insulin function, reduces oxidative stress
35 Saffron Crocus sativus Iridaceae Stigma Reduces oxidative stress, improves insulin action
36 Ashwagandha Withania somnifera Solanaceae Root Enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces stress-related glucose levels
(Cont'd...)

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 28 doi: 10.36922/imo.7520