A recent study has identified a variety of medicinal plants on Brahmayoni Hill in Gaya, Bihar, with Gymnema sylvestre, commonly known as Gurmar, standing out for its anti-diabetic properties. The researchers also noted that Gurmar is instrumental in the CSIR-developed ayurvedic formulation BGR-34, aimed at managing diabetes which is on the increase in the country due to changing lifestyles and unhealthy diets.
Gurmar’s effectiveness in reducing blood sugar is attributed to gymnemic acid, which interferes with sugar absorption in the intestine by blocking receptor sites. This action helps diminish cravings for sweets and lowers blood sugar levels. Additionally, Gurmar contains flavonoids and saponins. Flavonoids offer antioxidant benefits, while saponins assist in lowering cholesterol and regulating lipid metabolism, according to a study by Magadh University professors. It is published in the International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT).
The study highlights Gurmar among three medicinal plants found on Brahmayoni Hill, which has long been valued by traditional healers for its extensive range of natural remedies. Gurmar is particularly noted for its anti-diabetic effects.
“Gurmar is a key ingredient in BGR-34, an ayurvedic formulation developed by CSIR and marketed by Aimil Pharma,” said the researchers in the study ‘Ethnobotanical research on certain therapeutic plants found on Gaya’s Brahmayoni Hill’. In 2022, a study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, also validated that the herbal formulation BGR-34 is effective in reducing obesity along with blood sugar levels. It also improves the body’s metabolic system.
Dr. Sanchit Sharma, Executive Director of Aimil Pharma, said that the herbal formulation also includes other herbal components like Daruharidra, Giloy, Vijaysar, Manjishtha, and Fenugreek. These have been proven effective in managing diabetes, Sharma said, and pointed out the rising popularity of herbal Ayurvedic medicines in response to the increasing incidence of lifestyle-related diseases and a growing emphasis on preventive health.
India is home to the world's second-highest number of diabetic patients. Within the age group of 20–79 years, India had 74.9 million diabetics in 2021 projected to increase to 124.9 million by 2045, as per data.
The researchers further said that like BGR-34, the first diabetes drug Metformin was also derived from a medicinal plant, Galega,. Therefore, more in-depth research on Gymnema i.e. Gurmar to provide the new generation with another effective therapeutic option, they said.
To protect and sustain these valuable medicinal plants, the researchers recommend involving local communities in their cultivation. This will help prevent the extinction of these herbs and ensure their availability for future generations, they added.
