Appraisal of Anti Hyperglycemic effect of Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) - A Review

Abstract

Background: India is the second country in the world having 77 million people with Diabetes after China. An estimated 88 million adults are prediabetes, 34.5% of the U.S. adult population. According to National Urban Diabetes Survey, the estimated prevalence of prediabetes is 14 per cent in India. Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal (hyperglycemia), but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as diabetes.  In Ayurveda Prediabetes and Diabetes Mellitus has been described in the context of Prameha/Madhumeha in which a person passes honey like (sweet) urine. Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) is a nutritious grain popularly known as poor man’s food. Acharya Sushruta has mentioned Koradusha in the management of Prameha as a Pathya Ahara. Aim and objective: 1. To explore the role of Kodo millet in the management of Prediabetic and Diabetes mellitus. 2. To explore different properties of kodo millet in Ayurvedic and Modern point of view. Materials and methods: Ayurvedic treaties Bhrittrayi and Laghuttrayi, text books, magazines, News, previous dissertations. Electronic search was done by using PUBMED, SCOPUS, Google scholar, research gate ect. Results: Kodo millet is rich in Phenolic compounds, Tannins, Saponins, Proteins and amino acid, fibre, magnesium, Phytic acid, polyphenols, tannin and antioxidants. According to Ayurveda Kodo contain Madhura Kashaya rasa, Katu vipaka, Sheeta virya, Lekhana, Shoshana properties which further leads to Kleda shoshana i.e. absorption of kleda and controls Madhumeha or Diabetes. Conclusion: Hyperglycemia can be effectively controlled if kodo millet is incorporated as a daily diet in Prediabetes and Diabetes Mellitus.