Venkata Renuka Sai Sri Bolem et al, Int. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicine (IJPSM),
Vol.8 Issue. 7, July- 2023, pg. 58-66
ISSN: 2519-9889
Impact Factor: 5.9
© 2023, IJPSM All Rights Reserved, www.ijpsm.com 58
Phytochemical Composition and
Antidiabetic Potential of Gymnema
sylvestre Extracts and Formulations
Venkata Renuka Sai Sri Bolem
1
; Rajesh Kavala
2
;
Vinny Therissa Mangam
3
; Prakash Nathaniel Kumar Sarella
4
1
Assistant Professor, Aditya College of Pharmacy, Surampalem, renuka.bubbly1722@gmail.com
2
QA Analyst, Hetero Labs Ltd, Nakkapalli, pharmafeiringer2019@gmail.com
3
Assistant Professor, Aditya College of Pharmacy, Surampalem, vinnytherissa@gmail.com
4
Associate Professor, Aditya College of Pharmacy, Surampalem, sarellaprakash@acop.edu.in
DOI: 10.47760/ijpsm.2023.v08i07.006
Abstract:
Gymnema sylvestre is an Ayurvedic medicinal plant commonly known as gurmar used for the treatment of diabetes. The
current study evaluated the phytochemical composition and antidiabetic potential of G. sylvestre leaf extracts and
commercially available formulations. The extracts were prepared using ethanol and water through soxhelation.
Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and triterpenoids in the extracts.
Chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were employed for qualitative and quantitative comparison of the extracts
and formulations. The ethanolic extract showed higher total phenolic and flavonoid content compared to the aqueous
extract. In vitro antidiabetic assays demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase
enzymes by the extracts. The ethanolic extract exhibited higher antioxidant and antidiabetic activity compared to the
aqueous extract and formulations. Overall, the results indicate that G. sylvestre extracts possess phytochemicals and
antidiabetic potential that can be further explored.
Keywords: Gymnema sylvestre, phytochemical composition, antidiabetic, alpha amylase, alpha glucosidase,
chromatographic analysis.
1. Introduction
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to defects in
insulin secretion, insulin action, or both (Kulkarni et al., 2023). The number of people with diabetes has risen
from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014 (Galicia-Garcia et al., 2020). Currently, diabetes affects more
than 8% of adults worldwide and poses a major health threat (Chang et al., 2021). Diabetes management mainly
focuses on lifestyle changes, oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin therapy. However, these treatment options
have several limitations including high cost, side effects and failure to modify the progression of the disease.
Therefore, there is a need to explore alternative treatment strategies for diabetes, especially those based on plant
sources. Medicinal plants have been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems to manage diabetes and
related complications (Khafagy et al., 2007).
Gymnema sylvestre is an important medicinal plant used in Ayurveda for the treatment of diabetes. The plant is
native to India and parts of Africa (Leach, 2007). Traditionally, G. sylvestre leaf extracts have been used to
manage blood sugar levels, enhance insulin secretion, reduce sugar cravings and promote weight loss (Baskaran
et al., 1990; Pothuraju et al., 2014). The hypoglycaemic effect of G. sylvestre is attributed to triterpenoid
saponins known as gymnemic acids. Experimental studies have shown that G. sylvestre can inhibit carbohydrate