ABSTRACT:
Diabetes mellitus—particularly type 2 diabetes (T2DM)—is increasing rapidly in India and poses significant social and economic challenges. Alongside conventional pharmacotherapy, herbal formulations from Ayurveda and traditional medicine are widely used for glycemic management. Herbs and herbal formulations have long been used in traditional medicine systems to help manage diabetes and its complications. Many medicinal plants contain bioactive compounds that may support blood glucose regulation, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce oxidative stress. Herbal formulations, which combine multiple plant ingredients, are often designed to provide a synergistic effect, targeting different aspects of diabetes such as hyperglycemia, lipid imbalance, and inflammation. With growing interest in natural and complementary therapies, herbs and herbal formulations are increasingly being studied as supportive approaches alongside conventional diabetes management. This review summarizes key Indian medicinal plants with antidiabetic potential, their bioactive mechanisms, clinical evidence, and a detailed discussion of well-known marketed herbal antidiabetic products in India. Challenges regarding standardization, quality control, and clinical validation are also highlighted.
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