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. 2022 Jul 3;27(13):4278. doi: 10.3390/molecules27134278

Table 1.

Traditional uses and pharmacological effects of antidiabetic medicinal plants.

Medicinal Plants Parts Traditional Uses Pharmacological Effects References

  1. Abrus precatorius

Leaves, seeds Diabetes, wounds, fever, cough, cold, tetanus Improves β-cell function, inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity [53,54]
  • 2.

    Acacia arabica

Bark, roots Diabetes, astringent, diarrhea, parasitic worms, diuretic, liver tonic Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake and glucose tolerance [24,55]
  • 3.

    Acacia catechu

Bark Diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, diarrhea, obesity, dysentery, skin diseases Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion [56,57,58]
  • 4.

    Aegle marmelos

Leaves Diabetes, dysentery, inflammation, ulcer, diarrhea, asthma Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, glucose uptake and metabolism, inhibits aldose reductase and DPP-IV enzyme activity [56,59,60]
  • 5.

    Aframomum melegueta

Fruit, leaves Diabetes, cough, diarrhea, stomach ache, leprosy, hypertension, measles Lowers plasma glucose levels, inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity [61,62]
  • 6.

    Ageratum conyzoides

Leaves Diabetes, fever, rheumatism, cardiovascular diseases, malaria, wounds, spasms Lowers blood glucose levels, improves β-cell function, increases insulin secretion [63,64]
  • 7.

    Albizia lebbeck

Bark, pods Diabetes, asthma, diarrhea, infections, dysentery, inflammation Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, enhances glucose uptake [56,65,66]
  • 8.

    Albizia adianthifolia

Bark, leaves Diabetes, eye problems, hemorrhoids, skin diseases, wounds, malaria diarrhea, indigestion Lowers blood glucose levels, improves glucose tolerance [16,67]
  • 9.

    Allium cepa

Bulb Diabetes, bronchitis, hypertension, skin infections, swelling, lower cholesterol level Increases insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, improves glucose uptake [68,69]
  • 10.

    Allium sativum

Bulb Diabetes, fever, hypertension, rheumatism, dysentery, bronchitis, intestinal worms Increases insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity to cells [70,71]
  • 11.

    Aloe vera

Leaves Diabetes, constipation, infections, ulcer, dysentery, piles, rheumatoid arthritis Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, reduces insulin resistance, improves glucose tolerance [72,73]
  • 12.

    Anacradium occidentale

Leaves, stem bark Diabetes, fever, hypertension, rheumatism, toothache, piles, dysentery Lowers blood glucose levels, reduces oxidative stress, decreases total cholesterol and triglyceride levels [74,75,76]
  • 13.

    Anemarrhena asphodeloides

Rhizome Diabetes, fever, cough, inflammation, infections, night sweats, dementia Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin sensitivity, improves glucose uptake [77,78]
  • 14.

    Annona salzmannii

Leaves, bark Diabetes, inflammation, tumors Lowers blood glucose levels, improves β-cell function, increases insulin secretion [79,80]
  • 15.

    Annona squamosa

Leaves Diabetes, wounds, inflammation, hypertension, malaria, insect bites Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose tolerance and β-cell function [10,81]
  • 16.

    Anogeissus latifolia

Bark Diabetes, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, dysentery, snake bites, stomach disorders, skin diseases, leprosy Decreases blood glucose levels, improves β-cell function, increases insulin secretion, inhibits DPP-IV enzyme activity [56,82,83]
  • 17.

    Arachis hypogaea

Seeds Diabetes, inflammation, heart diseases, coagulation, rheumatism, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease Increases insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, improves glucose tolerance [84,85,86]
  • 18.

    Artemisia absinthium

Rhizome Diabetes, wounds, indigestion, gastritis, anemia, hepatitis, cardiovascular diseases, gall bladder disorders Increases insulin sensitivity, improves glucose uptake, enhances GLUT-4 translocation [87,88,89]
  • 19.

    Artocarpus heterophyllus

Leaves, rhizome Diabetes, diarrhea, malaria, wounds, anemia, inflammation Lowers blood glucose levels, decreases glycosylated hemoglobin levels [78,90]
  • 20.

    Asparagus racemosus

Roots Diabetes, constipation, ulcers, stomach disorders, cough, inflammation Increases insulin secretion and action, improves β-cell function, inhibits carbohydrate digestion and absorption [91,92,93,94]
  • 21.

    Atractylodes japonica

Rhizome Diabetes, rheumatism, gastrointestinal diseases, influenza, night blindness, diuretic, stomachic Lowers blood glucose levels, reduces insulin resistance, improves glucose uptake [95,96]
  • 22.

    Azadirachta indica

Leaves Diabetes, malaria skin diseases, infections, cardiovascular diseases, intestinal worms Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves pancreatic β-cell function, inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity, enhances glucose uptake [56,97,98]
  • 23.

    Balanites aegyptiaca

Fruit Diabetes, wounds, asthma, malaria, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, fever, infections Increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake, inhibits α-glucosidase activity [99,100]
  • 24.

    Berberis vulgaris

Root, bark Diabetes, eye infections, piles, wounds, snake bites, hemorrhoids, dysentery Reduces blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion [101,102]
  • 25.

    Bidens pilosa

Root Diabetes, wounds, hepatitis, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, cold, glandular sclerosis Increases plasma insulin, improves glucose tolerance, protects or prevents islet degeneration [103,104]
  • 26.

    Bougainvillea spectabilis

Flowers, leaves Diabetes, inflammation, ulcers, sore throat, infections, contraceptive Regenerates β-cell function, increases plasma insulin levels, reduces intestinal glucosidase activity [105,106]
  • 27.

    Brassica juncea

Leaves, seeds Diabetes, arthritis, rheumatism, back pain, coughs, paralysis Increases insulin secretion and glucose utilization [16,107]
  • 28.

    Bridelia ferruginea

Leaves, stem bark Diabetes, headache, arthritis, fever, inflammation Lowers blood glucose levels, inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity [108,109]
  • 29.

    Bunium persicum

Seeds Diabetes, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, obesity, asthma Lowers blood glucose levels, improves glucose uptake and utilization [56,110,111]
  • 30.

    Caesalpinia decapetala

Leaves Diabetes, indigestion, flatulence, stomach aches, constipation, fever Lowers blood glucose levels, protects pancreatic beta cells, decreases oxidative stress [112,113]
  • 31.

    Calendula officinalis

Leaves, bark Diabetes, fever, infections, wounds, menstrual irregularity, poor eyesight, inflammation, ulcers Lowers blood glucose levels, increases plasma insulin levels [114,115]
  • 32.

    Camellia sinensis

Leaves Diabetes, heart diseases, diuretic, astringent, stimulant, flatulence Increases insulin secretion and action, inhibit insulin glycation, DPP-IV enzyme, and α-amylase activity, improves glucose tolerance [116,117]
  • 33.

    Capsicum frutescens

Whole plant Diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, toothache, pain, muscle spasms, fever, infections Increases insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, improves glucose uptake [118,119]
  • 34.

    Carica papaya

Fruit, leaves Diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, dengue, malaria, nerve pains, insomnia, constipation Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon secretion [120,121]
  • 35.

    Cassia alata

Leaves, seeds Diabetes, skin diseases, rheumatism, constipation, ringworm, infections, inflammation Lowers blood glucose levels, inhibits α-glucosidase activity [122,123]
  • 36.

    Cassia fistula

Stalk Diabetes, wounds, constipation, piles, skin diseases, asthma, liver diseases, rheumatism, leprosy Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake and utilization [56,124,125,126,127]
  • 37.

    Catharanthus roseus

Leaves, roots Diabetes, hypertension, menstrual irregularity, cancer, wounds, muscle pain Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin sensitivity, improves glucose uptake and utilization [128,129,130]
  • 38.

    Cecropia obtusifolia

Root bark Diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, heart diseases, inflammation, wounds, hypertension Lowers blood glucose levels, decreases glycosylated hemoglobin levels [78,131]
  • 39.

    Cichorium intybus

Bark, leaves Diabetes, constipation, wounds, liver diseases Increases insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, improves glucose uptake [78,132]
  • 40.

    Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Bark Diabetes, common cold, flu, gastrointestinal disorders, bacterial infections, headache, stomach pain Increases plasma insulin levels, increases insulin sensitivity, inhibits α-amylase activity [133,134]
  • 41.

    Citrus limon

Fruit Diabetes, hypertension, infections, scurvy, sore throat, rheumatism Lowers plasma glucose levels, inhibits α-amylase activity [135,136]
  • 42.

    Citrus x aurantium

Fruit Diabetes, insomnia, indigestion, constipation, heartburn, nausea, cardiovascular diseases Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion [137,138]
  • 43.

    Cola nitida

Seeds Diabetes, dysentery, fatigue, CNS stimulant, morning sickness, migraine, indigestion, wounds Lowers blood glucose levels, increases serum insulin levels [139,140]
  • 44.

    Coptis chinensis

Rhizome Diabetes, sore throat, whooping cough, dysentery, neurodegenerative diseases Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin sensitivity, improves glucose uptake [141,142]
  • 45.

    Cornus officinalis

Fruit, seeds Diabetes, pain, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, liver, and kidney diseases Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, inhibits α-glucosidase activity, increases GLUT-4 expression [143,144]
  • 46.

    Curcuma longa

Rhizome Diabetes, gastric, inflammation, infections, cough, pain, liver diseases Lowers blood glucose levels, inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity, increases insulin secretion, improves peripheral glucose uptake, reduces insulin resistance [78,145,146]
  • 47.

    Cudrania cochinchinensis

Bark, roots Diabetes, hepatitis, scabies, bruises, gonorrhea, jaundice, rheumatism Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake and utilization, inhibits DPP-IV enzyme and α-glucosidase activity [56,147,148]
  • 48.

    Cyamopsis tetragonoloba

Fruit Diabetes, night blindness, arthritis, sprains, constipation, asthma, liver diseases, obesity Increases insulin secretion, protects pancreatic beta cells, decreases glycosylated hemoglobin levels [149,150]
  • 49.

    Dalbergia sissoo

Bark Diabetes, stomach disorders, dysentery, skin diseases, syphilis, nausea, gonorrhea Lowers blood glucose levels, reduces serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels [56,151,152]
  • 50.

    Eriobotrya japonica

Leaves, seeds Diabetes, bronchitis, inflammation, cough Lowers blood glucose levels, reduces insulin resistance, improves glucose tolerance [153,154]
  • 51.

    Eucalyptus citriodora

Leaves Diabetes, fever, pain, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, chronic rhinitis, Increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake, inhibits insulin glycation and DPP-IV enzyme activity, decreases starch digestion [155,156]
  • 52.

    Eucalyptus globulus

Leaves Diabetes, cough, cold, wounds, fungal infections, fever, sore throat, pain Increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake [157,158]
  • 53.

    Euclea undulata

Root, bark Diabetes, cough, chest pain, diarrhea, headache, toothache Lowers blood glucose levels, inhibits α-glucosidase activity [78,159]
  • 54.

    Eugenia jambolana

Seeds Diabetes, skin ulcers, gastritis, constipation, sore throat, liver, and kidney diseases Lowers blood glucose levels, improves pancreatic β-cell function, increases insulin secretion, inhibits sucrase and maltase activity, improves glucose uptake and metabolism [56,160,161]
  • 55.

    Euphorbia hirta

Leaves Diabetes, respiratory diseases, diarrhea, jaundice, tumors, gonorrhea Increases insulin release from beta cells, inhibits α-glucosidase activity [162,163]
  • 56.

    Ficus benghalensis

Bark, leaves Diabetes, hypertension, dysentery, diarrhea, pain, ulcers, asthma Decrease carbohydrate digestion and absorption, lowers blood glucose levels [164,165]
  • 57.

    Garcinia kola

Seeds Diabetes, diarrhea, food poisoning, bacterial infections, cough, liver diseases Inhibits α-amylase activity, decreases glycosylated hemoglobin levels [166,167]
  • 58.

    Glycine max

Seeds Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, cancer Reduces insulin resistance, improves glucose tolerance [168,169]
  • 59.

    Glycyrrhiza glabra

Roots Diabetes, epilepsy, respiratory diseases, paralysis, jaundice, rheumatism Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion [56,170]
  • 60.

    Gymnema sylvestre

Leaves Diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, constipation, jaundice, dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, obesity Lowers blood glucose levels, regenerates beta cells, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose tolerance [171,172]
  • 61.

    Harungana madagascariensis

Leaves Diabetes, cancer, hernia, hypertension, jaundice, malaria, yellow fever Lowers blood glucose levels, inhibits α-amylase activity [16,173]
  • 62.

    Helicteres isora

Roots Diabetes, diarrhea, snake bites, gastrointestinal disorders, spasms Lowers blood glucose levels, improves glucose uptake [174,175]
  • 63.

    Heritiera fomes

Bark Diabetes, diarrhea, constipation, dysentery, dermatitis, scabies, goiter Decreases carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption, lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose tolerance, inhibits DPP-IV enzyme activity [26,51,176]
  • 64.

    Hibiscus esculentus

Roots, seeds Diabetes, gastric irritations, inflammatory diseases, wounds, and boils Lowers blood glucose levels, improves β-cell function, increases insulin secretion [177,178]
  • 65.

    Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Leaves Diabetes, cough, diarrhea, dysentery, pain, contraceptive Reduces glucose absorption, lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion and hepatic glucose utilization, improves glucose tolerance, inhibits DPP-IV activity [179,180]
  • 66.

    Jatropha curcas

Leaves Diabetes, fever, bacterial and fungal infections, jaundice, muscle pain Lowers fasting blood glucose levels, improves glucose uptake and utilization [181,182]
  • 67.

    Lantana camara

Leaves Diabetes, asthma, malaria, chicken pox, hypertension, measles Lowers elevated blood glucose levels, improves glucose tolerance [183,184]
  • 68.

    Linum usitatissimum

Seeds Diabetes, diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections, asthma, bronchitis, atherosclerosis Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake and metabolism [56,185]
  • 69.

    Mangifera indica

Leaves, seeds Diabetes, constipation, piles, dysentery, asthma, anemia, hypertension, hemorrhage, Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake, inhibits α-glucosidase and DPP-IV activity [56,186,187]
  • 70.

    Momordica charantia

Leaves, seeds Diabetes, malaria, hypertension, scabies, liver diseases, obesity, ulcers, measles Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion and glucose uptake, improves glucose tolerance, decreases gluconeogenesis, inhibits α-glucosidase activity [56,134,188]
  • 71.

    Moringa oleifera

Leaves Diabetes, asthma, enlarged liver, bacterial infections, eye problems, piles, influenza, diuretic Reduces glucose absorption, lowers blood glucose levels, improves glucose uptake, inhibits α-amylase activity [189,190]
  • 72.

    Murraya koenigii

Leaves Diabetes, piles, dysentery, itching, bruises, inflammation Lowers blood glucose levels, inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity [78,191]
  • 73.

    Musa sapientum

Flowers Diabetes, dysentery, ulcers, hypertension, pain, inflammation, snake bites Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, decreases glucosylated hemoglobin levels [192,193]
  • 74.

    Nigella sativa

Seeds Diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, back pain, paralysis, heart diseases, bacterial infections, malaria Decreases carbohydrate digestion and absorption, lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion and sensitivity, improves glucose uptake and utilization [194,195]
  • 75.

    Ocimum basicllicum

Leaves Diabetes, headaches, constipation, coughs, kidney diseases, warts Inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity, reduces oxidative stress, inhibits glycogenolysis [196,197,198]
  • 76.

    Ocimum sanctum

Leaves Diabetes, ringworm, skin diseases, dysentery, dyspepsia, bronchitis, asthma Increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake and utilization [149,199]
  • 77.

    Olea europaea

Leaves Diabetes, constipation, urinary tract infections, asthma, hypertension, intestinal diseases Lowers blood glucose levels, increases antioxidant activity [200,201]
  • 78.

    Panax ginseng

Roots Diabetes, insomnia, anorexia, confusion, hemorrhage Improves peripheral insulin action, increases insulin sensitivity, decreases carbohydrate absorption [202,203]
  • 79.

    Panda oleosa

Stem bark Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, wounds, rheumatism, intestinal parasites Lowers blood glucose levels, improves glucose tolerance [16,204]
  • 80.

    Phaseolus vulgaris

Seeds Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, blood cancer Reduces insulin resistance, inhibits α-amylase and DPP-IV enzyme activity [149,205]
  • 81.

    Phyllanthus amarus

Leaves Diabetes, spleen, liver and kidney diseases, gonorrhea, stomach problems Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves insulin sensitivity [206,207]
  • 82.

    Plantago ovata

Husk Diabetes, constipation, diarrhea, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, hemorrhoids Improves glucose tolerance, decreases carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption [208,209]
  • 83.

    Pterocarpus marsupium

Bark Diabetes, dysentery, cough, diarrhea, skin diseases, wounds, ulcer Improves pancreatic β-cell function, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake [149,210,211]
  • 84.

    Punica granatum

Flowers Diabetes, urinary tract infections, arthritis, sore throat, skin diseases, anemia Improves β-cell function, increases insulin secretion [210,212,213]
  • 85.

    Rehmannia glutinosa

Roots Diabetes, anemia, obesity, kidney diseases, osteoporosis Improves pancreatic β-cell function, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake, decreases oxidative stress [214,215]
  • 86.

    Santalum album

Bark Diabetes, jaundice, diarrhea, dysentery, liver tonic, inflammation, hypertension Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake and utilization [56,216]
  • 87.

    Selaginella bryopteris

Leaves Diabetes, fever, epilepsy, constipation, colitis, cancer, urinary tract infections Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake and utilization [56,217]
  • 88.

    Sesamum indicum

Seeds Diabetes, constipation, hypertension, high cholesterol, athlete’s foot Inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity, exerts antioxidant activity [56,218,219]
  • 89.

    Solanum nigrum

Leaves Diabetes, pneumonia, toothache, stomach ache, fever, tumor, tonsilitis Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, decreases gluconeogenesis, increases glycogenesis [220,221]
  • 90.

    Spirulina platensis

Whole plant Diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, obesity Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose tolerance, inhibits DPP-IV activity [222,223]
  • 91.

    Swertia chirayita

Bark, leaves Diabetes, malaria, hypertension, epilepsy, liver diseases, weight loss Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake and metabolism, inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase [56,224]
  • 92.

    Tamarindus indica

Seeds Diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, abdominal pain, wounds, malaria Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion [56,225]
  • 93.

    Terminalia arjuna

Bark Diabetes, cardiotonic, anemia, viral infections, venereal diseases, ulcers Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake and utilization [56,226]
  • 94.

    Terminalia chebula

Fruit Diabetes, fever, astringent, constipation, dementia Improves β-cell function, increases insulin secretion, reduces glycosylated hemoglobin levels [227,228]
  • 95.

    Tinospora cordifolia

Leaves, roots, stem Diabetes, dysentery, diarrhea, snake bites, asthma, fever, jaundice Increases insulin secretion, inhibits gluconeogenesis, increases insulin sensitivity [149,229]
  • 96.

    Trigonella foenum-graecum

Seeds Diabetes, bronchitis, pneumonia, indigestion, dysentery, high cholesterol Lowers blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion, improves glucose uptake and utilization [56,134,230,231]
  • 97.

    Urtica dioica

Leaves Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, anemia, rhinitis, arthritis, gout, wounds Increases insulin sensitivity, improves glucose tolerance [232,233]
  • 98.

    Vernonia amygdalina

Leaves Diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, amoebic dysentery, malaria, helminth infections Lowers elevated blood glucose levels, inhibits gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis [234,235]
  • 99.

    Withania coagulans

Fruit Diabetes, insomnia, impotence, nervous exhaustion, asthma, liver diseases Lowers blood glucose levels, improves glucose tolerance [56,236]
  • 100.

    Zingiber officinale

Rhizome Diabetes, nausea, high cholesterol, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea, asthma Lowers fasting blood glucose levels, increases insulin secretion [119,237]