title: Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels., a novel therapeutic agent for diabetes: folk medicinal and pharmacological evidences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  During the past few decades numerous folk medicinal and scientific investigations on the antidiabetic effects of jambolan (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels) have been reported. However no comprehensive evidence-based review is available. Hence this review was aimed to summarize the antidiabetic effects of different parts and active principles of jambolan.
  
  
  METHODS
  The review is based on the available electronic literature indexed in the PubMed. The search terms were: Syzygium cumini, Eugenia jambolana, jambolan, jamun, and java plum with and without antidiabetic effect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on experimental studies and folk medicinal evidences, we summarized an up to date and comprehensive report on the antidiabetic activity of jambolan. The mode of action of some of the parts and active principles is also included. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that, different parts of this plant especially fruits, seeds and stem bark were reported for promising activity against diabetes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Till date no review is available for the evidence based preclinical/clinical study of jambolan with its antidiabetic effect. There is an immediate attention need for detailed analysis to identify its active principles. It could be used to produce safer drugs to treat diabetes.
authors: Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai 600 030, Tamil Nadu, India. asmayyanar@yahoo.com
authors: Muniappan
authors: M
authors: Ayyanar
authors: Pandurangan
authors: P
authors: Subash-Babu
authors: Savarimuthu
authors: S
authors: Ignacimuthu
mesh_terms: D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018514:Plant Structures; D027842:Syzygium
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts