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REVIEW ARTICLE

Diabetes mellitus: An updated overview and role of medicinal plants in modern treatment

Ashish Vishwakarma1 ,  Vasudev Biswas1 ,  Faizul Hasan2 ,  Asma Praveen1 ,  Divya Sharma1*
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1 Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Science and Research University, New Delhi, India
2 Department of Pharmacy, Metro College of Health Sciences and Research, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
IMO, 7520 https://doi.org/10.36922/imo.7520
Submitted: 13 December 2024 | Revised: 23 February 2025 | Accepted: 3 March 2025 | Published: 27 March 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by inadequate insulin production or peripheral insulin resistance, leading to persistent hyperglycemia. Prolonged hyperglycemia levels can cause severe complications, including nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes is classified into four main types: Type 1 DM, type 2 DM, gestational DM, and maturity-onset diabetes of the young, each with distinct etiologies and clinical manifestations. Present therapeutic strategies encompass pharmacological interventions and lifestyle modifications; however, these approaches have limitations, such as adverse effects and reduced efficacy over time. Cutting-edge treatments, including stem cell therapy, gene therapy, nanotechnology, and medicinal plant-based therapies, offer promising avenues for improved diabetes management and potential cure. Several medicinal plants, including gudmar, bitter melon, and fenugreek, contain natural compounds that regulate blood glucose levels, boost insulin secretion, and mitigate oxidative stress, positioning them as valuable adjuncts in diabetes management. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of diabetes pathophysiology, classification, and present management strategies, highlighting the necessity for novel treatment approaches in response to the global diabetes epidemic.

Keywords
Diabetes mellitus
Pathophysiology
Treatment
Medicinal plants
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The author declares no conflict of interest.
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