THERAPEUTIC EXPLORATION OF INSULIN PLANT

The family Costaceae consists of Costus igneus Nak (also known as Costus pictus D. Don, Costus mexicanus Liebm ex Petersen, and Costus congenitus Rowle). This family contains four genera with approximately 200 species, the largest of which is Costus, which represents nearly 150 species. Costus igneus is native to Southeast Asia. It is used as an ornamental plant in India to enhance the value of the landscape. In India, people call it as the "insulin plant" because of its ability to raise insulin levels in the body, acting as an antidiabetic agent. Insulin plant leaves were phytochemically screened and found to be high in protein, iron, and antioxidant components such as ascorbic acid, αtocopherol, β-carotene, terpenoids, steroids, and flavonoids. Historically it was used to extend life span, reduce skin-related diseases like rash, relieve symptoms of fever, treat asthma and bronchitis and obliterate intestinal worms. Besides, it has diverse uses, including anti-diabetic activity, antiproliferative activity, anti-microbial activity, anti-urolithiatic activity, effects on learning and memory, anti-oxidant activity, hepatoprotective activity, and so on. The objective of this section is to carry out a pharmacognostic study on the healing properties of a promising insulin plant and to explore its therapeutic potential