Indian Ginseng (Withania somnifera) in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Withania somnifera (WS), an age-old herb, has been in use since ancient times for treating and managing various ailments including diabetes mellitus (DM). In Ayurveda, WS is used as Rasayana (rejuvenating tonic) that promotes longevity, happiness, and vitality. This narrative review assessed the efficacy/effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of WS in managing DM. Fourteen experimental (preclinical) studies and six clinical trials/case reports are discussed in this review. WS treatment, in general, significantly improved elevated blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. It also significantly restored altered lipid profiles, insulin levels, and serum and oxidative stress markers. Regarding safety, WS is well tolerated with no safety concerns in patients with DM and also in healthy subjects, besides having a long history of safe use. It mainly exerts its anti-diabetic activity by protecting pancreatic β cells from oxidative stress, leading to insulin release. Further, WS assists in accelerating the transport of glucose into cells via inhibition of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzymes. These findings evidently signify the traditional use of WS in managing DM with a logical and scientific basis. However, well-planned randomized controlled trials are warranted to further confirm the anti-diabetic potential of WS in a larger population.