ABSTRACT:
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects human body in terms of physical, psychological and social health. Carbohydrates are converted into simple sugars to provide a steady source of energy to all of our cells. Insulin is responsible for controlling the level of sugar in the blood that regulates the amount of sugar throughout the body. There are three main types of diabetes, namely type I diabetes, type II diabetes and gestational diabetes. Oral antidiabetic agents exert their effects by various mechanisms. The treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agent on long term usage leads to increase blood sugar, drug resistance, adverse effects and complications which will further affect the immune system of body. To avoid such problems, it seems beneficial to use natural formulations for better management of diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia and oxidative stress are important components for the development of diabetic complications. Natural medicine contains various phytoconstituents such as polysaccharides, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids and tannins which are responsible for management of diabetes mellitus through multiple target mechanism.