PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF HERBAL DRUGS FOR DIABETES

Priyanka Kadale, Ajay Bhagwat, Riya Padekar*, Priyanka Kute, Sameer Sonawane, Komal Dharmadikari

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by hyperglycemia, poses a major global health burden. Conventional antidiabetic medications, while effective, often carry undesirable side effects and limitations in long-term efficacy. This has spurred growing interest in herbal medicines as alternative or complementary therapies. This study provides a comprehensive pharmacological evaluation of selected herbal drugs traditionally used in diabetes management, including Momordica charantia, Gymnema sylvestre, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and Cinnamomum verum. The investigation focuses on their antihyperglycemic mechanisms, including insulin mimetic activity, β-cell regeneration, inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, and antioxidant effects. Preclinical and clinical data are analysed to assess efficacy, safety, and pharmacodynamic properties. The findings support the potential of certain phytochemicals as effective adjuncts or leads for novel antidiabetic agents. However, more rigorous clinical trials and standardisation are needed to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of these herbal therapies.