Phytochemical Investigations and Anti diabetic activity

Indians are genetically more susceptible to diabetes and the W.H.O predicts the number of diabetes in India would go up to 40 million by 2010 and 74 million by 2025. Diabetes is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body. However Insulin administration is effective to some extent in increasing the life expectation of diabetic patients, but there are wide spectrum of limitations as well as draw backs for this therapy. Some Oral hypoglycemic agents are also employed in this regard, such as renal damage and neurological disturbances. There are great deals of evidences to suggest that the use of carefully chosen herbal remedies and dietary supplements to prevent and control the diabetes.The leaves of the plant Actinodaphne hookeri Meissn.(Lauraceae)have been traditionally claimed to be useful in diabetic conditions but yet no scientific reports are available in this regard. Hence the plant Actinodaphne hookeri Meissn leaves was selected for Phytochemical investigations and Anti diabetic activity.