Common Name :

Meshashringi / Mera Singi

Plant Parts Used :

Roots and Leaves

Description :
The macroscopic and microscopic characters of the leaves of Gymnema Sylvestre have been described. The lamina is ovate, elliptic or ovate-lanceolate, with both surfaces pubescent. Microscopically it was observed that hairs are non-glandular, profusely present all over the surface. There are five vascular bundles, a fan shaped bundle in the centre flanked on either side by two small bundles. The midrib has a ventral bulge. In the lamina, rosette crystals of calcium oxalate are present in idoblasts in the spongy parenchyma. Palisade ratio, vein-islet number, veinlet-termination number, stomatal number etc. have also been worked out.

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Characteristics and Constituents :
The presence of gymnemic acid, (+) quercitol, lupeol, (-amyrin, stigmasterol etc. have been reported from G. sylvestre. Saponins have been found to be present in the alcoholic extract of the plant. Several methods were tried for the isolation of the saponin. By chromatography and hydrolysis, a colourless crystalline product was obttained, m.p. 157° which was an aglucone of the saponin. This saponin produced a stable froth with water and had an astringent taste.

Actions and Uses :
The effect of the alcoholic extract of the leaves of G. sylvestre, Tribang shila (an Ayurvedic preparation) and tolbutamide on blood sugar was compared in normal rate as well those rendered hyperglycaemic by daily administration of the anterior pituitary extract. The effect of parenteral administration of the alcoholic extract of leaves on the hyperglycaemic response of the diabetogenic hormones, somatotropin and corticotropin has been studied in albino rats. The somatotropin - induced hyperglycaemiawas markedly inhibited by the extract in a dose of 200 mg./kg. intramuscularly. The inhibition of the corticotropin induced hyperglycaemia was also observed with the extract (Gupta and Variyar, 1964).

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