Gurmar Plant

Aug. 14, 2024

Recently, a team of researchers has uncovered an array of medicinal plants at Brahmayoni Hill in Gaya, Bihar, with Gymnema sylvestre (commonly known as Gurmar).

About Gurmar Plant:

It is a perennial plant and is known as an anti-diabetic herb.
Common names: Gymnema, Australian cowplant, and Periploca of the woods.
Distribution:
- It is a tropical plant that is indigenous to India and grows wild in the tropical forests of central, western and southern parts of the country.
- The medicinal herb also grows in the tropical areas of Africa, Australia and China.
Properties:
- It is rich in several active compounds like gymnemic acid, gymnemasides, anthraquinones, flavones, hentriacontane, pentatriacontane, phytin, resins, tartaric acid, formic acid etc.
- It is known for its unique ability to reduce blood sugar levels due to the presence of gymnemic acid which works by occupying receptor sites in the outer lining of the intestine, thereby curbing cravings for sweetness.
- In addition, the plant contains flavonoids and saponins, which help regulate lipid metabolism. Flavonoids have antioxidant properties, while saponins help lower cholesterol levels.
Applications:
- It was used to develop the anti-diabetic drug BGR-34 by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).