Therapeutic Efficacy and Antihyperglycemic Properties of Catharanthus roseus for Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of metabolic diseases, in which the patient experiences high levels of blood glucose due to an insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas (Type I diabetes) or an inability of his/her body to respond to the insulin produced (Type II diabetes). Catharanthus roseus ( C. roseus) is a plant that belongs to the Apocynaceae family, and has long been used as a natural medicine for Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. This systematic review aims to summarize and provide an overview of the results of several studies that have been conducted to evaluate the plant's antidiabetic efficacy.