B. Name : Gymnema sylvestre
Gymnema has pronounced effects on blood sugar, at least among diabetics. Within the past two decades researchers have determined that gymnema extracts mat even play a role in the treatment of Type 1 diabetics, who typically need daily injections of insulin to control the disease. Gymnema taken orally lowers blood glucose levels and improves blood fat and cholesterol profiles. This climber is extensively used in almost all the Indian system of medicine as a remedy for rheumatism, cough, ulcer and pain in eyes. It is also useful in inflammations, dyspepsia, constipation, jaundice etc., Roots have been reported as remedy for snakebite. The anti-diabetic property of the plant is attributed to the presence of mixture of triterpines and saponins in the leaves. These have been designated as gymnemic acids A,B,C and D, which have the gymnemagenin and gymnestrogenins.
