Effect of an isolate from gymnema sylvestre, R. Br. In the control of diabetes mellitus and the associated pathological changes.

Gymnema sylvestre, R. Br., popularly known as Meshashringi in Sanskrit and Sarkaraikolli in Tamil, was investigated for the control of type I (insulin dependent) diabetes in experimental animals. The hypoglycaemic extract was found to bring about blood glucose homeostasis, by increasing serum insulin levels. The islets of langerhans appear to be restored or regulated by the herbal extract. Increased glycoprotein, which is the major metabolic abnormality in diabetes mellitus and the resultant nephropathy, retinopathy and micro and macroangiopathy, is brought under control by the administration of the leaf extract.