title: Scientific validation of the antidiabetic effects of Syzygium jambolanum DC (black plum), a traditional medicinal plant of India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In spite of the tremendous progress achieved in medical sciences in the last century, the management of diabetes mellitus, a disease as old as mankind, is poor. Diabetes is currently the world's largest endocrine disorder, and estimates are that it affects almost 5% of the population. Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine, is one of the world's oldest systems to have documented the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental studies performed in accordance with the modern medicine principles have shown that some of the medicinal plants and polyherbal preparations made using the plants used in Ayurveda are effective in preventing both hyperglycemia and its complications. Syzygium jambolanum (Syn Syzygium cumini, Eugenia cumini, Eugenia jambolana), commonly known as black plum and originally indigenous to India, is one of the important antidiabetic plants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Jamun has been used in various complementary and alternative systems of medicine and, before the discovery of insulin, was a frontline antidiabetic medication even in Europe. The brew prepared by boiling the Jamun seeds in boiling water has been used in the various traditional systems of medicine in India.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review includes the validated antidiabetic effects of Jamun and some of its compounds. Emphasis is also placed on addressing the various mechanisms of action contributing to the pharmacological effects and the aspects that need future investigations for Jamun to be of clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Development, Father Muller Medical College, Kankanady, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. msbaliga@gmail.com
authors.forename: Manjeshwar S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Baliga
authors.forename: Saviona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Karadka R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Thilakchand
authors.forename: Prema
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: D'souza
authors.forename: Srinath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D027842:Syzygium
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations