Ayurvedic Management of Diabetes Mellitus: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM), referred to as Madhumeha in Ayurveda, has various herbal treatments that require scientific validation. The translational “bedside to bench” approach in biomedical research can effectively apply to traditional medicine, particularly through an "omics" approach. Ayurvedic concepts related to DM align with modern systems biology, where metabolic changes and genetic irregularities contribute to insulin resistance. Further research should explore combinatorial therapies based on Prakriti types and utilize metabolomics and pharmacogenomics to refine diabetes treatment strategies. Ayurveda also introduces the concept of Prameha, a pre-diabetic state, suggesting that urinary lipid levels could be pivotal for screening high-risk populations. This tradition-guided research paradigm can facilitate novel opportunities in drug discovery and systems biology for diabetes management, integrating herbal remedies, dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and detoxification practices along with their mechanisms of action.