Abstract

Medicinal plants have been proposed as rich yet unexploited potential sources for anti-diabetic drugs, even though used since ancient times for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Many of the synthetic drugs were discovered either directly or indirectly from the plant source. The aim of the study is to reveal the siddha anti-diabetic herbs and thier chemical constituents. The present study was aimed to review the plants having anti-diabetic property. Although many plants are recommended, further pharmacological and clinical research should be done to elucidate the exact mechanism of hypoglycaemic activity. A list of medicinal plants having anti-diabetic activity and other related beneficial effects used in treatment of diabetes is compiled. Most of the plants from family such moraceae, menispermaceae, cucurbitaceae, fabacea, phyllanthaceae, myrtacea, smilaceae, rutaceae, etc.