GURMAR PLANT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)
Context: A team of researchers recently discovered a variety of medicinal plants, including Gymnema sylvestre (Gurmar), at Brahmayoni Hill in Gaya, Bihar.
Gurmar Plant
- About: It is a perennial plant, commonly recognized as an anti-diabetic herb.
- Also known as: Gymnema, Australian cowplant, and Periploca of the woods.
- Distribution: Gurmar is indigenous to India and thrives in the tropical forests of central, western, and southern regions.
- Global Presence: The plant also grows in tropical areas of Africa, Australia, and China.
- Active Compounds: The plant is rich in compounds such as gymnemic acid, gymnemasides, anthraquinones, flavones, hentriacontane, pentatriacontane, phytin, resins, tartaric acid, and formic acid.
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Gymnemic acid in Gurmar reduces blood sugar levels by occupying receptor sites in the intestine, thereby reducing cravings for sweetness.
- Applications
oAnti-Diabetic Drug Development: Gurmar was used in the development of the anti-diabetic drug BGR-34 by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
oMedicinal Significance: Found on Brahmayoni Hill, Gurmar is a key medicinal plant known for its anti-diabetic properties and is part of a traditional treasure trove of natural remedies.
- Research and Validation
oBGR-34 Ingredient: Gurmar was identified as a crucial ingredient in the ayurvedic formulation BGR-34, developed by CSIR and marketed by Aimil Pharma.
oScientific Validation: A 2022 study by AIIMS, Delhi, confirmed that BGR-34 is effective in reducing obesity, lowering blood sugar levels, and improving the body’s metabolic system.
