ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders shown by increases in blood glucose levels. Herbal drugs have therefore been important sources for novel agents, acting by varied mechanisms and that are also considered to be safe. The effect of E. littorale has been studied with various types of extracts in type 1 diabetes models. Swertiamarin is a seco-iridoid glycoside and has a number of reported pharmacological effects such as hepatoprotective, anti-oedematogenic/anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging activity and antispastic activity. A new arena for the treatment of diabetes is created through the multipotent differentiation property of stem cells. Diabetes has emerged as a syndrome that not only is associated with poor quality of life but also increased rate of mortality due to several complications. Scientific investigation of medicinal plants to identify novel bioactive phytochemicals with therapeutic potential has come to be the core area of research in the pharmaceutical industry.
