Genetic diversity and hypoglycemic studies of Salvadora species

The genus Salvadora belonging to family Salvadoraceae is a small group of evergreen trees or shrubs adaptable to alkaline or very saline soil. Two species found in India are Salvadora oleoides and S. persica. These species are widely used in indigenous system of medicine. Despite having so much utility there has been a major decline in the population of S. oleoides and S. persica. The area under this genus is diminishing very rapidly and causing major threat to forest ecosystem. The wide ranging medicinal, ecological, social and economic importance on the one hand and declining population on the other necessitates to estimate the range and quantum of existing natural variation which is essential for framing meaningful genetic improvement programme, aimed at sustainable utilization. Beside this not much work has been done for their utilization as antidiabetic plants. Hence an attempt has been made to assess the genetic diversity and to find out the possible role of Genus Salvadora as an antidiabetic agent.