Gymnema sylvestre

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Gymnema sylvestre
Gymnema sylvestre, at Eastern Ghats, India
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Gymnema
Species:
G. sylvestre
Binomial name
Gymnema sylvestre
R. Br.

Gymnema sylvestre[1] is a perennial woody vine native to Asia (including the Arabian Peninsula), Africa and Australia. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine. Common names include gymnema,[2] Australian cowplant, and Periploca of the woods, and the Hindi term gurmar, which means "sugar destroyer".[3][4][5]

The leaves and extracts contain gymnemic acids, the major bioactive constituents that interact with taste receptors on the tongue to temporarily suppress the taste of sweetness.[6][7][8][9][10]

Description

The plant is a climber with leaves having soft hairs on the upper surface. The leaves are elongated-oval in shape. It has a small, yellow, umbelliferous inflorescence that is produced throughout the year.[11]

Properties

Gymnema sylvestre has a long history of use in herbal medicine and a broad range of therapeutic properties.[4][5][12]

Blocks sweet taste sensations

Its leaves contain

triterpenoid saponins,[13][14][15] flavonols,[16] and gurmarin.[5] The major biologically active plant molecules are gymnemic acids, a class of triterpenoid saponins, which have the effect of suppressing the taste of sweetness on the tongue from sucrose (sugar), stevia, xylitol, and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.[17]

The sweet-blocking effect of G. sylvestre lasts from 15[6] to 50 minutes[18] and may even persist for several hours.[19] Gymnemic acids apparently have no long-term effects on taste and they do not influence bitter, salty, or sour taste perception.[7][20]

Effects on sugar absorption and insulin secretion

Gymnemic acid compounds in Gymnema sylvestre can also attach to receptors on the intestinal walls, helping to reduce absorption of sugar molecules in the gut.[21] This process can lower blood sugar and promote insulin secretion and release.[21] However, its antidiabetic properties were not confirmed in rats.[22]

Uses

  1. Reduction of sugar intake: G. sylvestre extracts taken in the form of lozenges, mouthwash, or tea diminishes the consumption of sweet foods and overall caloric intake. Extracts (formulated as a mint lozenge) reduced the desire for high-sugar foods and the pleasant taste of candy.[23] Research also suggests that Gymnema sylvestre extracts reduce cravings for sugar. In a double-blind study, participants who received a gymnemic acid lozenge declined candy (before tasting it) more often than the placebo group.[10][24][25]
  2. Weight loss: In Japan, 50 tons of G. sylvestre leaves are consumed annually for the purpose of weight loss.[26][27] Early research suggests that taking a specific combination of Gymnema sylvestre extract, hydroxycitric acid, and niacin-bound chromium by mouth for 8 weeks might reduce body weight in people who are overweight or obese.[28]
  3. Traditional uses: In Eastern and Ayurvedic medicine, G. sylvestre leaves and extracts have been used to treat eye diseases, allergies, constipation, cough, dental caries, obesity, stomach ailments, and viral infections. G. sylvestre has also been used as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and aphrodisiac.[5][14][26]

Etymology

G. sylvestre

Gymnema derives from the

epitheton sylvestre means "of the forest" in Latin.[29]

The Hindi and Urdu name gurmar, Sanskrit मधुनाशिनी (madhunashini), Malayalam chakkarakolli, Tamil சிறுகுறுஞ்சான் ,and Telugu పొడపత్రి (podapatri), all literally mean "sugar destroyer". (Sanskrit) meshashringi translates as "ram's horn", a name given to the plant due to the shape of its fruits.

References

  1. ^ "Integrated Taxonomic Information System". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  2. ISBN 978-0-8493-1284-7
    .
  3. ISBN 978-0849326769
    .
  4. ^
    PMID 24511547
    .
  5. ^
    S2CID 29228955
    .
  6. ^
    PMID 5791706
    .
  7. ^
    PMID 10480675
    .
  8. PMID 25056955
    .
  9. ISBN 978-1466516946
    .
  10. ^
    S2CID 21639511
    .
  11. ISBN 978-1-143-66359-8
    .
  12. PMID 12663610
    .
  13. PMID 4733385
    .
  14. ^
    PMID 25860062
    .
  15. PMID 6039815
    .
  16. PMID 14980834
    .
  17. doi:10.1093/chemse/17.5.461
    .
  18. PMID 5522511
    .
  19. ^ US application 2004071801, Edell D, Handel R, "Herbal formulation of Gymnema sylvestre as a dietary aid", published 15 April 2004 
  20. ISSN 0379-864X
    .
  21. ^
    PMID 24511547
    .
  22. doi:10.1590/S1516-89132004000400007
    .
  23. ^ Stice, Eric. "Two clinical studies confirm that Sweet Defeat reduces desire for sugar and sugar consumption".
  24. ^ Clinical trial number NCT02744885 for "Crave Crush Behavioral Study" at ClinicalTrials.gov
  25. S2CID 46836377
    .
  26. ^
    PMID 15168555
    .
  27. ^ Ueno M (1993). "The bioactivity and use of the sugar absorption inhibitor "Gymnema sylvestre"". Technical Journal on Food Chemistry & Chemicals. 12: 21–26.
  28. S2CID 36237508
    .
  29. ^ s:The New International Encyclopædia/Gymnema

Further reading

  • Ambasta SP (1986). The useful plants of India. New Delhi: Publications & Information Directorate, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research.
    ISBN 978-81-85038-02-5
    .

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gymnema_sylvestre&oldid=1215126649"