Polyherbal formulations for sustainable glycemic control in diabetes mellitus: phytochemical profiling, mechanistic insights, standardization and integration with conventional therapeutic approaches
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20263142Keywords:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Polyherbal formulations, Phytochemical analysis, Glycemic control, Preclinical studies, Drug delivery systemsAbstract
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction persistent hyperglycemia, contributing to severe complications including cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, and neurological disorders. Worldwide incidence of diabetes has risen significantly, with over 537 million individuals affected in 2021, and projections indicate 783 million by 2045, imposing a significant public health and economic burden. Polyherbalism leverages synergistic interactions between multiple medicinal plants, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing toxicity. Commonly studied antidiabetic plants include Momordica charantia, Gymnema sylvestre, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Syzygium cumini, and Ocimum sanctum, which demonstrate hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic activities by pathway like β-cell regeneration, decreased of glucose assimilation, and modulation of oxidative stress. This review highlights the potential of polyherbal formulations as safe, economically viable, and multi-targeted interventions for sustainable glycemic control, emphasizing the need for rigorous pharmacological, clinical, and formulation research to integrate traditional remedies into modern diabetes management.
References
Abdul Rahman H, Saari N, Abas F, Ismail A, Mumtaz MW, Abdul Hamid A. Anti-obesity and antioxidant activities of selected medicinal plants and phytochemical profiling of bioactive compounds. Int J Food Prop. 2017;20(11):2616-29.
Sharma A, Kashyap BK, Puranik N. State-of-the-art of paper-based technology and challenges in its commercialization. In: Paper-Based Diagnostic Devices for Infectious Diseases. Bristol: IOP Publishing; 2023: 11-20.
Al Badi K, Khan SA. Formulation, evaluation and comparison of the herbal shampoo with the commercial shampoos. Beni-Suef Univ J Basic Appl Sci. 2014;3(4):301-5.
Alsafran M, Kasote D. Applications of phytochemical analysis methods and tools across diverse fields. In: Phytochemical Analysis by Modern Techniques: Recent Trends and Future Perspectives. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2026: 473-487.
Altemimi A, Lakhssassi N, Baharlouei A, Watson DG, Lightfoot DA. Phytochemicals: extraction, isolation, and identification of bioactive compounds from plant extracts. Plants (Basel). 2017;6(4):42.
Antar SA, Ashour NA, Sharaky M, Khattab M, Ashour NA, Zaid RT, et al. Diabetes mellitus: classification, mediators, and complications; a gate to identify potential targets for the development of new effective treatments. Biomed Pharmacother. 2023;168:115734.
Arifuzzaman S, Labu ZK, Harun-Or-Rashid MH, Hasan MM, Al Maruf A, Tappo S, et al. Phytochemical profiling and GC-MS analysis of bioactive compounds in methanolic crude extract of Beta vulgaris (BV) root from Bangladesh. PLOS Digit Health. 2025;4(10):e0001042.
Sharma A, Vepa Kameswara Rao. Synthetic applications of gold nanoparticles in research advancement of electrochemical immunosensors. Trends Appl Sci Res. 2020;15(2):151-67.
Askar MA, Thangjam NM, Kumar A. A review on pharmacological importance of polyherbal formulation. Res J Pharm Technol. 2025;18(4):1925-30.
Bain SC, Bekker Hansen B, Hunt B, Chubb B, Valentine WJ. Evaluating the burden of poor glycemic control associated with therapeutic inertia in patients with type 2 diabetes in the UK. J Med Econ. 2020;23(1):98-105.
Barakat EH, Kassem AM, Ibrahim MF, Elsayad MK, Abdelgawad WY, Salama A, et al. Fabrication of prostructured spanlastics gel for improving transdermal effect of dapagliflozin: in vitro characterization studies and in vivo antidiabetic activity. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol. 2024;97:105804.
Chahar S, Sharma J. Phytochemical screening, total flavonoid and phenolic content assays and antioxidant activity of Momordica charantia L. leaves. Asian J Pharm Educ Res. 2017;6(3):60-9.
Chahrour JA, Abdel Baki Z, El Badan D, Jabbour K, Nasser G, Maresca M, et al. Herbal medicines in the management of diabetes mellitus: plants, bioactive compounds, and mechanisms of action. Biomolecules. 2025;15(12):1674.
Chauhan A, Janmeda P, Singh H, Gaur R, Nargis KM, Kanta C. Antidiabetic herbs and polyherbal strategies: a dual approach to diabetes control. Environ Conserv J. 2024;25(4):1204-17.
Cieśla Ł, Moaddel R. Comparison of analytical techniques for the identification of bioactive compounds from natural products. Nat Prod Rep. 2016;33(10):1131-45.
Debebe D, Gabriel T, Brhane Y, Temesgen A, Nigatu M, Marew T. Comparative in vitro evaluation of brands of clotrimazole cream formulations marketed in Ethiopia. J Drug Deliv Ther. 2018;8(1):17-22. Available from: https://jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/1546. Accessed on 14 April 2026.
Desai D, Wang J, Wen H, Li X, Timmins P. Formulation design, challenges, and development considerations for fixed dose combination (FDC) of oral solid dosage forms. Pharm Dev Technol. 2013;18(6):1265-76.
Dev SK, Choudhury PK, Srivastava R, Sharma M. Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity of polyherbal formulation. Biomed Pharmacother. 2019;111:555-67.
Gauttam VK, Kalia AN. Development of polyherbal antidiabetic formulation encapsulated in the phospholipids vesicle system. J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2013;4(2):108-17.
Gauttam VK, Kalia AN. Development of polyherbal antidiabetic formulation encapsulated in the phospholipids vesicle system. J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2013;4(2):108-17.
Gawade B, Patil S. A unique method for simultaneous HPLC analysis of gallic acid, glycyrrhizic acid and E-guggulsterone in a polyherbal formulation. Pharmacogn Res. 2025;17(1):295-306.
Gieroba B, Kryska A, Sroka-Bartnicka A. Type 2 diabetes mellitus - conventional therapies and future perspectives in innovative treatment. Biochem Biophys Rep. 2025;42:102037.
Gopalakrishna Pillai GK, Bharate SS, Awasthi A, Verma R, Mishra G, Singh AT, et al. Antidiabetic potential of polyherbal formulation DB14201: preclinical development, safety and efficacy studies. J Ethnopharmacol. 2017;197:218-230.
Gupta, R., Sharma, A., & Mahajan, V. (2017). Evaluation of a polyherbal formulation containing Trigonella foenum-graecum, Tinospora cordifolia, and Ocimum sanctum on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 198, 123–129.
Hamblin PS, Russell AW, Talic S, Zoungas S. The growing range of complications of diabetes mellitus. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2025;36(10):943-54.
Hamblin PS, Russell AW, Talic S, Zoungas S. The growing range of complications of diabetes mellitus. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2025;36(10):943-54.
Heshmati J, Namazi N, Memarzadeh MR, Taghizadeh M, Kolahdooz F. Nigella sativa oil affects glucose metabolism and lipid concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Food Res Int. 2015;70:87-93.
Horváth L, Novodvorský P, Haluzík M. Practical limitations of complex insulin therapies in type 2 diabetes: focus on therapy simplification using fixed-ratio combinations of basal insulin and a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025;27(Suppl 7):42-54.
Hu XF, Zhang Q, Zhang PP, Sun LJ, Liang JC, Morris-Natschke SL, et al. Evaluation of in vitro/in vivo anti-diabetic effects and identification of compounds from Physalis alkekengi. Fitoterapia. 2018;127:129-37.
Hu XF, Zhang Q, Zhang PP, Sun LJ, Liang JC, Morris-Natschke SL, et al. Evaluation of in vitro/in vivo anti-diabetic effects and identification of compounds from Physalis alkekengi. Fitoterapia. 2018;127:129-37.
Jain A, Jangid T, Jangir RN, Bhardwaj GS. Antidiabetic activity of polyherbal formulations: a comprehensive review. Protoplasma. 2025;262(5):1031-52.
Kaatabi H, Bamosa AO, Badar A, Al-Elq A, Abou-Hozaifa B, Lebda F, et al. Nigella sativa improves glycemic control and ameliorates oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: placebo controlled participant blinded clinical trial. PLoS One. 2015;10(2):e0113486.
Kahksha, Alam O, Al-Keridis LA, Khan J, Naaz S, Alam A, et al. Evaluation of antidiabetic effect of luteolin in STZ induced diabetic rats: molecular docking, molecular dynamics, in vitro and in vivo studies. J Funct Biomater. 2023;14(3):126.
Kalasariya HS, Pereira L, Patel NB. Comprehensive phytochemical analysis and bioactivity evaluation of Padina boergesenii: unveiling its prospects as a promising cosmetic component. Mar Drugs. 2023;21(7):385.
Kashif M, Nasir A, Gulzaman, Rafique MK, Abbas M, Ur Rehman A, et al. Unlocking the anti-diabetic potential of Gymnema sylvestre, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and their combination thereof: an in-vivo evaluation. Food Sci Nutr. 2023;11(12):7664-72.
Kavitha, R., Anburajan, V. S., & Kannan, S. (2024). Phytochemical screening and HPLC analysis of polyherbal formulation containing Gymnema sylvestre and Syzygium cumini. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 13(6), 221–234. https://www.wisdomlib.org/health-sciences/journal/world-journal-of-pharmaceutical-research/d/doc1374588.html
Kiani Z, Hassanpour-Fard M, Asghari Z, et al. Experimental evaluation of a polyherbal formulation (Tetraherbs): antidiabetic efficacy in rats. Comp Clin Pathol. 2018;27:1437-45.
Lawal IO, Olajuyigbe SO, Akinwumi IA, Olugbami D. Assessment of plants used in polyherbal formulations for traditional treatment of skin infections in Ibadan Metropolis. J Herbal Med. 2024;47:100919.
Li P, Zhao L. Developing early formulations: practice and perspective. Int J Pharm. 2007;341(1-2):1-19.
Lu JC, Lee P, Ierino F, MacIsaac RJ, Ekinci E, O'Neal D. Challenges of glycemic control in people with diabetes and advanced kidney disease and the potential of automated insulin delivery. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2024;18(6):1500-8.
Lubau NSA, Balasubramaniam V, Yap CG, Arulsamy A, Subramaniyan V. Acute and subacute oral toxicity assessment of Karanjin in Sprague Dawley rats. Toxicol Rep. 2026;16:102207.
Majhi S, Singh L, Verma M, Chauhan I, Kumari R, Sharma M. In-vivo evaluation and formulation development of polyherbal extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Phytomed Plus. 2022;2(4):100337.
Malik A, Sharif A, Zubair HM, Akhtar B, Mobashar A. In vitro, in silico, and in vivo studies of Cardamine hirsuta Linn as a potential antidiabetic agent in a rat model. ACS Omega. 2023;8(25):22623-36.
Mawlieh BS, Shastry CS, Chand S. Evaluation of anti-diabetic activity of two marketed herbal formulations. Res J Pharm Technol. 2020;13(2):664-8.
Askar MA, Thangjam NM, Kumar A. A review on pharmacological importance of polyherbal formulation. Res J Pharm Technol. 2025;18(4):1925-30.
Mohsen Ali SS, Robin P. Comprehensive phytochemical profiling of bioactive compounds from Barleria prattensis for their antioxidant and cytotoxic capacity and its characterization using GC-MS. Biochem Biophys Rep. 2025;43:102083.
Yadav A, Jain VK, Attatappa V, Lakshmi N, Sharma A, Pandey SK, et al. Effect of temperature and Co-addition on phase stability, magnetic and electronic properties of Fe2-xCoxMnAl quaternary Heusler alloys for spintronics devices. J Alloys Compd. 2025;1027:180579.
Ndile MM, Makori WA, Kibiti CM, Ngugi MP. In vitro hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities of dichloromethane extract of Xerophyta spekei. Scientifica (Cairo). 2023;2023:6652112.