A review of scientific literature on anti-diabetic activity in medicinal plants used by folk medicinal practitioners of two villages in Narail and Chuadanga districts, Bangladesh for treatment of diabetes

An ethnomedicinal survey conducted amongst folk medicinal practitioners (Kavirajes) of two villages in Narail and Chuadanga districts of Bangladesh revealed the use of twenty four medicinal plant species for treatment of diabetes or alleviating diabetic symptoms in human patients. Perusal of the available scientific literature on the anti-diabetic plant species showed that out of the twenty four medicinal plants used, fifteen plant species have been reported in the scientific literature to possess considerable anti-diabetic properties directly in the form of ability to reduce blood sugar following administration, or possess properties, which can alleviate diabetic symptoms or reduce the risk factors for diabetes, including anti-oxidant and hypolipidemic properties. Overall, it can be concluded that the considerable expertise gained by the Kavirajes…