Abstract

A REVIEW ON GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE A MAJOR ANTIDIABETIC ASCLEPIADACEAE HERB

Jyothi Chaitanya Pagadala*, Dhatri Madduru, Aparna Satya Deepthi Tadepalli

Abstract

Gymnema sylvestre (Family- Asclepiadaceae), popularly known asgurmar or Madhunashini. It is one of the most important medicinalplant in India. It is a slow growing, perennial, medicinal woodyclimber grows in Deccan Peninsula and widely distributed in Asia,tropical Africa, Malaysia and Srilanka. It is well known for thetreatment of diabetes for over 2000 years in Indian Ayurvedic systemof medicine. The major chemical component of Gymnema sylvestre isgymnemic acids which has antidiabetic, anti sweetener and antiinflammatoryactivities. Traditionally Gymnema is used for treatmentof glycosuria and urinary disorders. The leaves are also used asdiuretic. Gymnema is propagated through seeds and stem Cuttings forcommercial cultivation in India. In Gymnema, many genetic variationstudies were done. It is also used in the treatment of asthma, eyecomplaints, inflammations, family planning and snakebite. In addition to this it possessesantimicrobial, antihypercholesterolemic, hepatoprotective and sweet suppressing activities. Italso acts as feeding deterrents to caterpillar, Prodenia eridania, prevent dental caries causedby Streptococcus mutans and used in skin cosmetics. Recent reports suggest that Gymnemicacid formulations have been found useful against obesity. It also has anti cancer activitywhich was tested using biofunctionalized Silver and gold nanoparticles derived from aqueousleaf extracts of G. sylvestre.

Keywords: Gymnema sylvestre, antidiabetic, leaves, antimicrobial, silver and gold nano particles.