Biochemistry & Pharmacology: Open Access
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-0501
ISSN: 2167-0501
Warjeet S. Laitonjam
Accepted Abstracts: Biochem & Pharmacol
Since ancient times, plants have been an important source of medicine. Ayurveda and other Indian literature mention the use of plants in the treatment of various human ailments. The ethno-botanical information reports about 800 plants that may possess anti-diabetic potential. A wide array of plant derived active principles representing numerous chemical compounds has demonstrated activity consistent with their possible use in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus (DM). Among these are alkaloids, glycosides, galactomannan gum, polysaccharides, peptidoglycans, hypoglycans, guanidins, steroids, carbohydrates, glucopeptides, terpenoids, amino acids and inorganic ions.North East India is rich of its flora and fauna; the flora of this region includes aromatic and medicinal plants with a number of bioactive compounds. Most of these medicinal plants are required to identify the active principles present in these plants. Before the coming of the modern pharmacological medicines, the people of North East India are using medicinal plants for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus. Even today, people not only in the rural areas but those living in the urban areas are also using these medicines, and give first preference to herbal treatments by consulting the medicine men. A report of some commonly used anti-diabetic plants in the indigenous system of health care will be highlighted.
Warjeet S. Laitonjam did his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong. He is serving as the Head of the Department of Chemistry, Manipur University. He was selected as a Commonwealth fellow of Association of Commonwealth Universities, London, UK (one year, 1997-1998). He was nominated as a visiting scientist by the Royal Society, London to visit UK for three months (from 31st January to 5th May 2006). His research area of specialization is synthetic organic chemistry and natural products chemistry. He has produced twelve Ph.D. students and published more than seventy research papers.