What is Anti-Diabetic Plants

The rapidly increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus as a chronic disease is becoming a serious threat to mankind health in all parts of the world. However, the currently available therapies are not of much use in prevention or reduction of disease. There are a large number of plants and natural biomolecules that have been discussed in the literature for their antidiabetic effects. Recently, the screening of many types of plant derived alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and other compounds that reduce the glucose level in the body and have fewer side effects has been successfully isolated. In this chapter, the mechanism of diabetes mellitus has been discussed. Also, the plants having anti-diabetic property along with its constituents has been presented summarized with the available literature resource. In addition to this, the common strategy that is followed for inhibition assay for an anti-diabetic compound has been discussed. Finally, future opportunities and challenges in this research area are proposed.