Some Selected Medicinal Plants with Antidiabetic Potentials

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by hyperglycemia associat‐ ed with impairment in insulin secretion and/or insulin action as well as aberrations in intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Several reports indicate that annual incidence rate of diabetes mellitus will increase in the future worldwide, especial‐ ly in the developing countries [1]. The effects of diabetes mellitus include long-term damage, dysfunction and failure of various organs. Diabetes mellitus may present with classical characteristic features such as blurring of vision, excessive thirst (polydypsia), excessive feeding (polyphagia) excessive urination (polyuria), and weight loss. In its most severe forms, ketoacidosis may develop leading to stupor, coma and, in absence of effective treatment death ensues [2].