Antidiabetic Activity of Syzygium cumini Leaf Extracts: A Review of Preclinical Studies in Experimental Diabetic Rat Models

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or both.Despite the availability of several antidiabetic drugs, long-term therapy is often associated with adverse effects and high treatment costs.Consequently, increasing attention has been directed toward plant-derived therapeutic agents with antidiabetic potential.Syzygium cumini (Jamun), a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, contains bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and alkaloids that contribute to its pharmacological activities.Preclinical investigations using experimental diabetic rat models have demonstrated that extracts of Syzygium cumini leaves exhibit significant antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering effects.These extracts have been reported to enhance insulin secretion, improve insulin sensitivity, and protect pancreatic β-cells from oxidative damage.The present review summarizes current preclinical evidence regarding the antidiabetic activity of Syzygium cumini leaf extracts, focusing on phytochemical constituents, pharmacological mechanisms, toxicological safety, and potential therapeutic applications.The available findings suggest that jamun leaves may serve as a promising natural source for the development of adjunct antidiabetic therapies; however, further clinical investigations are required to confirm their efficacy and safety in humans.