Traditional knowledge of Plants Used for the Treatment of Diabetes in Telangana, India: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Tribal and local forest dwellers possesses traditional knowledge of their surroundings plants with wide application for the treatment of various ailments. Plant-based herbal medicines have received great attention after post covid-19 scenario due to its economic, efficient, and minimal side effects. Diabetes mellitus is a well-known metabolic disorder of endocrine insulin hormone which makes it as a chronic disease. The present review focuses on the traditional knowledge of the medicinal plants used by the tribal and local people for the treatment and management of Diabetes in Telangana. The study is a combination of literature based data as well as field interaction with people which revealed that 100 species belonging to 45 families are being used directly or in combination with other plants for the treatment of Diabetes. Fabaceae was the dominant family followed by Apocynaceae and Cucurbitaceae while tree is the major habit followed by herbs and climbers. Leaves are mostly used in the drug preparations followed by bark and root/rhizome. It has been found that formulations of only 40 species are known while other 60 species are not disclosed. Among the known formulations, powder is mostly used for treatment followed by paste and decoctions. Overall the present comprehensive reviews have shown the potential of traditional medicinal plants and its related traditional knowledge for curing diabetes which provides a path for future bioprospecting. In addition to this, these species should be conserved and cultivated under in-situ and ex-situ programmes which are necessary for sustainable supply for raw material to the benefit of the society as well as to improve livelihood of tribal/local people.