Enicostema axillare subsp. littorale (Blume) A.Raynal for Type 2 Diabetes mellitus: An overview

Abstract

Diabetic patients often consume traditional medicines, available as over-the-counter products, concurrently with prescribed conventional medicines. A study of 180 marketed Ayurvedic antidiabetic formulations showed that Enicostema axillare subsp. littorale (Blume) A.Raynal (Mamajjakah) is being used frequently in several formulations by Ayurvedic industry, particularly from the Western India. The present overview covers the classical and current literature on the plant for its antidiabetic activity. Wide use of E. axillare in diabetes mellitus suggests a need for thorough survey of its Ayurvedic pharmaco-epidemiology and drug utilization. The emergent data would facilitate Reverse Pharmacological study of the plant in diabetic patients. There is a potential for developing a safe and validated phytopharmaceutical antidiabetic drug.