Therapeutic properties of Madhunashini

Abstract: Madhunashini is a prodigy shrub for diabetic cure. The chief bioactive compound of Madhunashini is a group of oleanane type triterpenoid saponin known as “gymnemic acids”. Apart from that, auxillary plant constituents are flavones, anthraquinones, hentriacontane, pentatriacontane, chlorophylls a and b, phytin, resins, dquercitol, tartaric acid, formic acid, butyric acid, lupeol, jamyrin related glycosides and stigmasterol. The plant extract also tests positive for alkaloids. Among these bioactive compounds of the plant gymnemic acids, gymnemagenin and gurmarin have antidiabetic, and anti inflammatory activities. Gymnemic acid molecules fill the receptor site in the absorptive upper coverings of the bowels so suppressing the absorption of sugars by the intestine and that results in lower blood sugar level thereupon enormous anti-diabetic potential. Other uses included as a panacea for rheumatism, abdomen ailments, cold, pustule, jaundice, nausea, anti-obesity. The root of the herb is a remedy for snake bite used by tribes. As a result of these exclusive qualities the shrub has been over exploited.

Keywords: Madhunashini, gymnemic acids, alkaloids, and overexploited.