ANTIDIABETIC PROPERTIES OF GREWIA ASIATICA L.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose levels. Medically referred to as Diabetes Mellitus (DM), it encompasses a group of metabolic diseases characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Under normal physiological conditions, the pancreas secretes insulin, a hormone that facilitates the uptake and utilization of glucose and lipids derived from dietary sources. However, diabetes develops when the pancreas produces insufficient insulin or when body cells exhibit resistance to insulin’s action, leading to impaired glucose metabolism and elevated blood sugar levels. Grewia asiatica L., commonly known as Phalsa, is a species native to tropical regions of Asia, including India, Nepal, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Laos, and Vietnam, among others. It is extensively cultivated for its edible fruit and its wide range of nutraceutical and medicinal applications. The composition of the fruit pulp per 100 g includes water (80.8 g), protein (1.3 g), fat (0.9 g), carbohydrates (14.7 g), fiber (1.2 g), and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron (1.1 g). The fruit and seeds of Grewia asiatica contain 18 amino acids, with aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and leucine being the most abundant. The fruit is also rich in vitamins A and C. Additionally, the plant contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including anthocyanins, tannins, phenolics, and flavonoids. Pharmacologically, G. asiatica exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiemetic, radioprotective, hepatoprotective, antihyperlipidemic, immunomodulatory, sedative, hypnotic, and nootropic properties. Due to these multifaceted therapeutic potentials, Grewia asiatica has recently gained significant scientific and commercial interest, with several pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies utilizing its extracts to develop safe, cost-effective, and readily available health-promoting products.