Anti-diabetic Potential of Indigenous Medicinal Plants of Cholistan Desert, Pakistan: A Review
Tahira Shamim, Hafiz Muhammad Asif, Ghazala Shaheen, Mukhtiar Ahmad , Raeesa Noor
Department of Eastern Medicine & Surgery, University College of Conventional Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, PakistanLaila Sumreen, Rida Tanveer, Hina Nawaz , Jahanzaib Kaleem
Department of Eastern Medicine & Surgery, University College of Conventional Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, 2 Department of Homoeopathic Medical Sciences, University College of Conventional Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, PakistanSultan Ayaz
Department of Eastern Medicine, Faculty of Medical Science, Government College University, Faisalabad, PakistanTasneem Qureshi, Tanveer Ali
Faculty of Eastern Medicine and Natural Sciences, Ziauddin University Karachi, PakistanAymen Owais Ghauri
Department of Eastern Medicine, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Jinnah University for Women, Karachi, PakistanFarhan Sajid
Department of Library & Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, PakistanIjaz Khadim
AGP Pharmaceutical Pvt- Ltd, Karachi, Pakistan.Abstract:
Cholistan Desert is a sandy desert located in southern Punjab, Pakistan. The area is rich in more than 64 medicinal plants among 138 plant species. It is noteworthy that this remote desert lacks modern health care facilities and its inhabitants are dependent on locally-available plant species for the treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. Medicinal plants, traditionally have been ideal sources of remedies for the management of many non-communicable diseases; most modern prescriptions drugs have their origins from plants. Diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate in the past few decades. Whereas medicinal plants are used globally, the specific properties of only a few have been identifies scientifically. Similarly, little scientific evidence exists that confirms the efficacy of the medicinal plants of this region for diabetes management. Ethnobotanical studies show that locally-available medicinal plants do have anti-diabetic potential. We reviewed the medicinal properties of 36 of these plants. Several ingredients derived from these plants have chemical constituents that demonstrate anti-diabetic activity, thereby validating their importance for the management of diabetes.
Keywords
cholistan desert · medicinal plants · anti-diabetic · diabetes mellitus,.Editor
MD, PhD
Abbreviation Title
Rev Diabet Stud