Phytochemical Screening and Pharmacological Evaluation of Medicinal Plants for Antidiabetic Activity

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and impaired insulin function. Traditional medicinal plants have shown potential as alternative or complementary therapies due to their bioactive phytochemicals. This study investigates the phytochemical composition and pharmacological efficacy of selected medicinal plants in managing diabetes. A total of 10 medicinal plants traditionally used for antidiabetic purposes were collected, and their extracts were subjected to qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening, including flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and phenolic compounds. Pharmacological evaluation was conducted using in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays, and in vivo studies were performed on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Data analysis indicated that several plant extracts exhibited significant enzyme inhibition (>60%) and blood glucose-lowering activity (up to 45%), comparable to standard antidiabetic drugs. The study demonstrates that medicinal plants are a promising source of bioactive compounds with antidiabetic potential and provides a framework for further isolation and characterization of therapeutic agents.