Comparative Review of two Anti-Diabetic Herbal Drugs - GymnemaSylvestreand CostusIgneus

Diabetes mellitus is one of the common endocrine disorders characterized by deranged secretion of insulin and/or glucagon with extensive disturbance of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. GymnemaSylvestre is a woody, climbing plant of tropical forests of central and southern India and in parts of Africa. Gymnema has played an important role in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Its use has been confined primarily to the management of diabetes mellitus and similar hypo/hyperglycemic conditions. The first scientific confirmation of G. sylvestre use in human diabetics came almost a century back when it was demonstrated that the leaves of G. sylvestre reduce urine glucose in diabetics. Costusigneus Nak commonly known as fiery costus, Step ladder or Spiral flag or Insulin plant, is native to South and Central America. This is a recent introduction to India from America as an herbal cure for diabetes and hence commonly called as 'insulin plant.