FOLK ANTIDIABETIC PLANTS OF ASSAM: A SURVEY ON THEIR REPORTED ACTIVITY AND FUTURE POTENTIAL

Assam is a state in Indias north-eastern region, known for its lush floral and cultural diversity. We combed through the literature and discovered that about 117 Assamese plant species had been shown to have antidiabetic potential in preclinical studies. Diabetes, in its many forms, has been a long-standing problem for doctors for decades. Many aspects of diabetes must be investigated, including the physiological actions of insulin and the different clinical features of the condition, such as tissue complications. Since diabetes is a lifestyle disease, careful care with regard to diet and anti-diabetic agents is essential. Herbal diabetes therapy is not a novel concept. Plants and plant extracts have been used to treat diabetes since 1550 B.C., with as many as 400 prescribed before the development of effective diabetes drugs earlier this century.