A REVIEW ON ANTIDIABETIC AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF MEDICINAL GRASSES OF POACEAE FAMILY

Diabetes and microbial infection are widespread in most countries around the world, the epidemic is rapidly spreading. It has been reported that some medicinal grasses of Poaceae family such as Cynodon dactylon, Cymbopogan citratus, Triticum aestivum and Bambusa vulgaris contains pharmacologically active phyto-constituents. Medicinal grasses are rich in variety of phyto-constituents such as tannins carotenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenoides and other numerous compounds. Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine system metabolic disorder. Diabetes is another name for diabetes mellitus. Mainly two types of diabetes first one are Type 1 diabetes and the second one is Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is insulin-dependent, whereas Type 2 diabetes is not insulin-dependent. The medicinal grasses of poaceae family have a potential antidiabetic and antimicrobial activity. The antidiabetic potential of medicinal grasses maintained by hypoglycemic, antihyperglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects of different phyto- constituents present in different parts of medicinal grasses. Antimicrobial activity is also exhibited by the presence of variety of phyto-constituents against different group of microorganism such as grampositive bacteria, gramnegative bacteria, fungi. The distinct concentration and doses show variable medicinal effects. The current review focuses on antidiabetic and antimicrobial activity of medicinal grasses of poaceae family.