Knowledge for Development

Review of African medicinal plants with anti-diabetic potentials

Author:

Date: 30/06/2014

Introduction:

Researchers from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and the Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria, produced a systematic review of all the in vivo anti-diabetic studies conducted between January 2000 and July 2013 on African plants to take a closer look at some relevant plants from the continent's sub-regions. The researchers found that plants of the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families are the most investigated, and West Africa has the highest number of investigated plants. Although promising results were reported in many cases, only a few studies reported the partial characterisation of bioactive principles and mechanisms of action. The authors hope that government agencies, pharmaceutical industries, and the scientific community will investigate some of these plants in the future and explore avenues for commercialisation.   

Recent research has dealt with the characterisation of bioactive principles. See our 'Herbs and medicinal plants' dossier: http://knowledge.cta.int/Dossiers/Commodities/Herbs-and-medicinal-plants     

(Planta Medica, 17/02/2014)   

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