Gymnema sylvestre
Gymnema sylvestre, commonly known as "sugar destroyer," is a potent medicinal herb native to India and Africa. Renowned in Ayurvedic medicine, it contains gymnemic acids that temporarily suppress sweet tastes and help regulate blood glucose levels. This versatile plant is widely studied for its potential in managing diabetes naturally.
- Scientific name: Gymnema sylvestre
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it falls within the family Apocynaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Gymnema, which includes the medicinal species Gymnema sylvestre.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Gymnema | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Gymnema sylvestre, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 匙羹藤 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and in the Hong Kong dialect (zh-hk). In Portuguese (pt), it is commonly called Gymnema, while in Malayalam (ml), it is known as ചക്കരക്കൊല്ലി.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 匙羹藤 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 匙羹藤 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 匙羹藤 | Wikidata |
| pt | Gymnema | Wikidata |
| ml | ചക്കരക്കൊല്ലി | Wikidata |
| te | పొడపత్రి | Wikidata |
| he | ג'ימנמה | Wikidata |
| kn | ಮಧುನಾಶಿನಿ | Wikidata |
| ca | Gymnema sylvestris | Wikidata |
| es | Gymnema sylvestris | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Gymnema sylvestre, exhibits a specific geographical presence within the West Tropical Africa region. Its distribution can be traced through several key nations located in this part of the continent. Specifically, it is found growing in the territories of Benin and Burkina. The plant's range also extends to include the countries of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Furthermore, its occurrence is documented within the borders of Guinea.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Niger | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Gymnema sylvestre, is a woody climber characterized by its distinct morphological features. The primary medicinal components are found within the green leaves, which are typically arranged oppositely along the climbing stem. Each individual leaf is supported by elongated petioles that connect the blade to the main structural axis of the vine. Within the specialized leaf tissue, particularly on the surface of the lamina, lie the unique gymnemic acids responsible for its ability to temporarily suppress the sensation of sweetness.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 28
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 15 | ★★★★★ |
| leaf | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| stem | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| petioles | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf tissue | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried leaf powder | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| commercial extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Gymnema sylvestre has 61 reported phytochemicals identified across 86 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gymnemagenin, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, Gymnemic acid IV.
- Total chemicals
- 61
- Scientific sources
- 86
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gymnemagenin | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| saponins | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Gymnemic acid IV | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stigmasterol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gymnemasaponin V | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupeol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytosterols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Gymnema sylvestre has 15 reported activities identified across 34 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Hypolipidemic.
- Total activities
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 34
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticarcinogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Gymnema sylvestre has 62 reported medicinal uses identified across 95 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, antidiabetic, Diabetes mellitus, asthma, blood glucose.
- Total uses
- 62
- Scientific sources
- 95
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| diabetes mellitus | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| blood glucose | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| constipation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |