Antidiabetic Potential of Orchid Tree [Bauhinia variegata (L.) Benth.]

Bauhinia variegata is known as orchid tree or mountain ebon in English, a member of Fabaceae, and a medium-sized deciduous tree distributed in tropical and subtropical countries. Flowers, stems, seeds, roots, bark, and leaves contain chemical constituents, which play a vital role in promoting human health, identified as antidiabetic, anti-infective, and antioxidant properties, and more. B. variegata stem and bark are used as antidiabetics in Ayurvedic medicine in India. This chapter mainly focuses on the antidiabetic property of B. variegate. Scientific evidence can be found for the activity of this plant. In vivo study revealed using ethanolic and aqueous extracts of plant in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed antihyperglycemic activity, reduction in total, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol, and an increase in HDL cholesterol, and ethanolic extract showed a significant reduction of fasting blood sugar levels at two different doses in streptozocin-induced diabetic rat models it validated for controlling diabetes-related complications as oxidative stress and diabetes wounds. In vitro study revealed the insulin levels and the biomarkers for both liver and kidney functions in the treated animals and found them not to be limited to hypoglycemic effect, preventing liver and kidney tissue damage, and plant extract enhanced insulin release from the beta cell lines. The plant has proven activity for antioxidant activity using DPPH assay and H2O2 assays, beta carotene bleaching assay. In conclusion, the plant B. variegata is found to be effective against diabetes through in vivo and in vitro testing; further, the plant has shown the ability to control unwanted side effects through antioxidants and other biochemical investigations.