A REVIEW ON INDIGOGERA ASTRAGALINA AS ANTIDIABETIC HERBS

Abstract

Abstract:
Species of Indigofera are mostly shrubs, though some are small trees or herbaceous perennials or annuals. Most have pinnate leaves. Racemes of flowers grow in the leaf axils, in hues of red, but there are a few white- and yellow-flowered species. The fruit is a legume pod of varying size and shape. Indigofera is a varied genus that has shown unique characteristics making it an interesting candidate as a potential perennial crop. Diabetes is defined as a state in which homeostasis of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism is improperly regulated as a consequence of a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin secretion, resistance to insulin action or both at one or more points in the complex pathways of hormone action. India has 2.4% of world’s area with 8% of global biodiversity. It is one of the 12 mega-diversity hot-spot regions of the world. There are about 45,000 plant species in India, with concentrated hotspots in the region of Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats and Andaman & Nicobar Island. It is difficult to estimate the number of medicinal and aromatic plants present worldwide.
Key words: Indigofera, Diabetes, Herbal Medicine, Racemes.