Introduction
This plant was called Meshashringi or "ram’s horn"
in Sanskrit. Its use in snake bite as a remedy was well known
to the natives of the Konkan in India and the natives of Southern
India. Gymnema leaves have been used for centuries in the traditional
Indian system of Ayurvedic medicine. The term "destroyer
of sugar" is traditionally used for Gymnema because chewing
the leaves will abolish the taste of sweetness. That is, sweet
foods no longer tasted sweet, but rather became almost completely
tasteless. The medicinally active parts of the plant are the
leaves and the roots. Recent clinical trials conducted in India
have shown that an extract of Gymnema sylvestre is useful for
controlling Blood Sugar.
Origin
It is found in the Deccan Peninsula, extending to parts of northern
and western India. It is occasionally cultivated as a medicinal
plant. Today, Gymnema has become increasingly popular in the
United States as a supportive treatment for diabetes.
Chemical
composition / key active constituents
The presence of Gymnemic acid (GA), (+) quercitol,
lupeol, ß-amyrin, stigmasterol etc., have been reported.
GA I, II, III and IV are anti sweet substance from the leaves
of G. sylvestris. They all contain a glucuronic acid moiety, and
the gymnemagenin aglycone esterified at position C-21 and C-28.
A second series of Gymnemic acid V-VII has also been reported.
GA VII is the 3-O-glucuronide of gymnemagenin and GA V is the
O-3-glycuronyl- 22, 21-bis-O-tigloyl substitution pattern. GA
VIII-IX are also esters of saponin, have an oxoglycoside moiety
attached to the glucuronic acid residue. Gurmarin, another constituent
of the leaves, and gymnemic acid have been shown to block sweet
taste in humans.Some researchers have suggested gymnemic acid
as one possible candidate responsible for antidiabetic activity.
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Pharmacology
Leaves are found to be antidiabetic, and insulinotropic.
The active principles which have been identified as glycosides
(several gymnemic acids) suggest that the topical and selective
anaesthetic effect of the plant might result from the reaction
of the receptor sites between glycosides and the sweet substances.
Gymnemic acids inhibited glucan formation by streptococcus mutans
in vivo and also markedly inhibited the activity of glucosyltransferase
from bacterial coat.ecreasing capillary fragility.
Remedies
For
It is used as an anti-diabetic. It stimulates the heart and
circulatory system,activates the uterus and increases urine
secretion. Gymnemic acids are useful for prevention of the
formation of dental plaque and caries.
Dosage
Recent
studies in India have used 400 mg per day of a water-soluble acidic
fraction of the gymnema leaves. In adult-for diabetics, ongoing
use for periods as long as eighteen to twenty-four months has
proven successful. In IDDM (juvenile onset) diabetic patients,
a similar amount has been usedsuccess-
fully as an adjunct to ongoing use of insulin. Traditionally,
2-4 grams of the leaf powder per day is used.
| References: |
| 1. |
Phytochemistry,
1978,17:287 |
| 2. |
J.Res.Ayurveda
& Siddha 1980, 1,133 |
| 3. |
Sharma, R. et al. (1987) J.Res. Edu. Ind. Med. 1-10 |
| 4. |
Singh,
R.H.,Singh, L.J.(1980)J.Res.Ayur.Siddha. 1:133-148
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