Medicinal plants have a vast potential in the treatment of various ailments due to the presence of therapeutically important phytochemicals. Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder and several marketed medications are available to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes. However, these over the counter drugs are expensive and associated with several complications. Herbal medicines are gaining importance as they are cost-effective and also display improved therapeutic effects with lesser side effects. The present review includes the reports available on medicinal plants used for treating diabetes complications. The aim of the review is to categorize and summarize the available information on medicinal plants with anti-diabetic properties and suggesting outlooks for future research. A systematic search was performed on medicinal plants with anti-diabetic properties using several search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct and other online journals and books. All the plants listed in this review are native to Asian countries and are routinely used by the traditional practitioners for the treatment of various ailments. Based on the literature data available, a total of 81 medicinal plants with anti-diabetic, anti-hyperglycemic, hypoglycemic, anti-lipidemic and insulin mimetic properties have been compiled in this review. This review provides useful information about the different medicinal plants for treating diabetes-associated complications. Further research can be carried out to study the active constituents and mechanism of these plants.

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The present study reveals the medicinal properties of the present study reveals the medicinal properties of the Cardiospermum halicacabum. The Cytotoxic activity of methanolic stem extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum was tested against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) using MTT assay. The Cytotoxic activity of methanolic stem extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum showed significant activity against tested cell line. The different concentrations (100, 500, 1000) was tested at an optical density of 540nm was observed to calculate the percentage of viability. Hundred percent viability was seen against control. The maximum inhibitory activity was seen in lower concentration (100%) at a optical density of 6.753 was observed. The minimum percentage of viability (50%) was observed at an optical density of 0.392 was observed in 1000 µg/ml). From the results it can be observed that the added compounds produced significant decrease in cell viability which confirms antiproliferative activity of the studied extracts. Acridine orange fluorescent staining, Neutral Red staining and Lactose dehydrogenase assays were carried out in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines to study apoptopsis. The plant extract has shown significant apoptoptic activity against cancer cell lines.

Free-radical reactions have been implicated in the pathology of many human diseases like atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, aging process, inflammation, diabetes, immuno-suppression,neurodegenerative disease etc. Radicals and other reactive oxygen species are formed constantly in the human body and are removed by the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defence. The disturbance in ‘redox homeostasis’ that occurs when antioxidant defences are inadequate can damage lipids, proteins,carbohydrates and DNA. Drugs with multiple protective mechanisms, including antioxidant activity, may be one way of minimizing tissue injury. Phytochemicals with antioxidant property are naturally present in food are of great interest due to their beneficial effects on human health as they offer protection against oxidative deterioration. Amygdalin, also known as vitamin B17 is a cyanogenic glycoside found in several sources mainly in apples, pears, apricots, plums, peaches. Several reports claim amygdalin to be good chemopreventive agent, however these claims are not often backed by proper scientific evidence. Thus the present study is aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of amygdalin isolated from Prunus dulcis by studying its in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic properties.Free-radical reactions have been implicated in the pathology of many human diseases like atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, aging process, inflammation, diabetes, immuno-suppression,neurodegenerative disease etc. Radicals and other reactive oxygen species are formed constantly in the human body and are removed by the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defence. The disturbance in ‘redox homeostasis’ that occurs when antioxidant defences are inadequate can damage lipids, proteins,carbohydrates and DNA. Drugs with multiple protective mechanisms, including antioxidant activity, may be one way of minimizing tissue injury. Phytochemicals with antioxidant property are naturally present in food are of great interest due to their beneficial effects on human health as they offer protection against oxidative deterioration. Amygdalin, also known as vitamin B17 is a cyanogenic glycoside found in several sources mainly in apples, pears, apricots, plums, peaches. Several reports claim amygdalin to be good chemopreventive agent, however these claims are not often backed by proper scientific evidence. Thus the present study is aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of amygdalin isolated from Prunus dulcis by studying its in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic properties.