Gurmar Plant

About Gurmar Plant:

• It is a perennial plant and known as anti-diabetic herb. 
• Common names: Gymnema, Australian cowplant, and Periploca of the woods. 
• Distribution:
  • It is a tropical plant that is indigenous to India and grows wild in the tropical forests of central, western and southern parts of the country.
  • The medicinal herb also grows in the tropical areas of Africa, Australia, and China. 
• Properties
  • It is rich in several active compounds like gymnemic acid, gymnemasides, anthraquinones, flavones, hentriacontane, pentatriacontane, phytin, resins, tartaric acid, formic acid etc.
  • It is known for its unique ability to reduce blood sugar levels due to the presence of gymnemic acid which works by occupying receptor sites in the outer lining of the intestine, thereby curbing cravings for sweetness.
  • In addition, the plant contains flavonoids and saponins, which help regulate lipid metabolism. Flavonoids have antioxidant properties, while saponins help lower cholesterol levels.
• Applications
  • It was used to develop anti-diabetic drug BGR-34 by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Q1: What is Insulin?

It is a hormone that regulates blood glucose. Not being able to produce or use insulin effectively leads to raised glucose levels in the blood, known as hyperglycaemia. Over the long-term high glucose levels are associated with damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues.

Source: Anti-diabetic herb Gurmar found on Gaya’s Brahmayoni Hill

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