Abstract

ANTIDIABETIC PROPERTIES OF THIRTEEN LOCAL MEDICINAL PLANTS IN NIGERIA, A REVIEW

Adamu J. Alhassan*, Tajudeen A. Lawal and M. A. Dangambo

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorder associated with the endocrine system that resulted in hyperglycaemic condition. Themetabolic defectsmay leads to many complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, microangiopathy, nephropathy, ischaemic heart disease and stroke. Over 800 plants are indicated by ethnobotanical information as traditional remedies for the treatment of diabetes all over the world. This review attempts to compile the antidiabetic properties of thirteen (13) local phytochemical plants in Nigeria for easy reference. The phytochemical plants evaluated in this review include; Persea americana (Avocado pear), Sida acuta (Broom-weed), Tithonia diversifolia (Wild Sunflower), Aframomum melegueta (Alligator Pepper), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Carica Papaya (Paw-paw), Ocimum gratissimum (scent or mint leaf), Parkia biglobosa (African locust Bean), Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf), Moringa oleifera (drumstick or horseradish tree), Momordica charantia (Bitter melon), Picralima nitida (Akuama) and Syzygium aromaticum (Cloves). Various parts of these plants were evaluated and appreciated for hypoglycemic activity.Medicinal plants have been proved to be more effective, less side effects or zero side effect and relative low cost than the conventional pharmaceutical synthetic drugs. This review may be of help toresearchers,diabetic patient and decision makersin field of ethanobotanical sciences.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, medicinal Plants, antidiabetics, Nigeria.