Plant-based drugs isolated from medicinal plants are undergoing nearly exponential growth in the last few years with huge popularity by the people of both developing and developed nations mostly because of their natural origin and negligible side effects. Among many recent life style related diseases, viz., COPD, stroke, cancer, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's, diarrhea, tuberculosis, and cirrhosis, diabetes is probably the major concern in today's world. The incidence and associated mortality of this silent killer is increasing day by day. Diabetes mellitus is categorized as highly prone diseases in which there is enhanced blood glucose level in blood streams imposing harsh consequences. Suitable chemical and synthetic drugs are not scarce, but their vigorous and long time usage creates disruption in the body and mind of ailing patients. Hence, there is a long and consistent search toward obtaining a natural alternative with as few side effects as possible. Medicinal plants are considered an important therapeutic aid in this regard toward reducing this severe ailment to a considerable extent. Strong medicinal systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Chinese are still showing potential and have been practiced over 1500 years only because of their natural and motherly care through these magical plants. The majority of the people (>60%–80%) from developed as well as developing countries depend largely on these medicinal systems and rely on these special herbals. Dietary polyphenols and other bioactive components present in medicinal plants have long been broadly studied as antidiabetic agents in cells, animals including human communities which have been proved by clinical trials. The present review comprehensively addresses the epidemiology, statistics, nature, types, and pervasiveness of diabetes and suggests the potential antidiabetic activity of scores of medicinal plants with scientific relevance of using these time-tested traditional herbal medicines in our modern pharmaceutical drugs against diabetics. This wisdom would certainly enlighten researchers to design a roadmap for future research on diabetes.

Turmeric is an important rhizomatous spice crop of the family Zingiberaceae. It is under cultivation since long for its immense application in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and perfumery industry apart from its daily use in diet. Being imperative both in terms of health and wealth, its cultivation is more remunerative to the producers, processors and consumers as well. Its commercial cultivation has already been taken up in many countries including India as one of the major and highest producers. But there is scantiness of research regarding growing environment and nutrient management, in combination, contributing to its growth, development and quality parameters. For utilizing the land in a profitable way, multistoried cropping, intercropping and mixed cropping came into a picture. Turmeric being a partial shade loving crop, its performance in different cropping systems is excellent. For obtaining maximum yield with enhanced quality in different cropping systems, effect of shade and light intensities on crop performance with respect to growth, yield and quality is very important. Under different cropping systems, the competition between the crops is not only for light but nutrients also play an equal role. The present review is, therefore, considered worthwhile to find out the response of turmeric for shade under the stimulus of nutrients. It may be inferred that turmeric can be an excellent remunerative spice crop with better yield and quality rhizomes in different cropping system under partial shade.

Obesity is a recognized global epidemic all throughout the globe with its dangerous dent in almost every nook and corner. It is an increasingly common phenomenon all over the world and the whole scientific community, governments, and organizations worldwide are impulsively extra attentive to address this issue. This apparently peaceful malady not only affects human life in a negative way slowly, but imposes unwarranted implications in the overall health system. Obesity is often associated with diabetes, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal disturbances, and even some types of cancer, such as endometrial, colon, and breast cancer. Apart from many life-style related requirements of behavioral changes as well as quite a few chemical and synthetic options, the phytotherapeutic horizons of mitigating obesity are opening up rapidly and consistently. Comprehensive research practices are continued around the world over time with the studies on phytotherapeutic usage profile, action mechanism, possible limitations, etc. A new hope has already been ushered through the wide ranges of medicinal plants opening new windows for further research validation and confirmation. Additional synergy on chemical, biological, and clinical aspects are essential on the effectiveness of such plants, including those used as spices and condiments in our daily diet, in developing and treating obesity in humans. Such anti-obesity findings would suggest food and drug manufacturers to develop newer products, and to governments to control food products as a step 426forward to improve and enhance public health. The findings of this review may be useful in streamlining obesity research through plants and providing a roadmap for future studies to pave the way for more desirable and greener phytotherapeutic options.

Nanotechnology is a novel approach that involves materials and equipment with manipulative abilities on the physical and chemical properties of a substance at molecular levels. The nanoparticles, so-called “mesoporous,” introduce the gene and activate it in a precise and controlled manner without any toxic aftereffects. Polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, proliposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and microemulsions are the precise nanoparticulate formulations which have a potential to deliver herbal medicines effectively. Herbal medicines have been widely used all over the world since prehistoric times and have been recognized by physicians for their better therapeutic value for having fewer adverse effects compared with modern medicines. The effectiveness of many species of medicinal plants depends on the supply of bioactive secondary metabolites. Most of these constituents of extracts, such as flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, are highly soluble in water but have low absorption, because they are unable to cross the lipid membranes of the cells, with bigger molecular size, resulting in loss of bioavailability and efficacy. To characterize the nanoparticles with a view to determine the physical and chemical toxicity profiles, several research studies are on their way to focus and explain the mechanism rationally aided with advanced technologies. Nanosized drug delivery systems of herbal drugs have a potential future for enhancing the activity and overcoming problems associated with plant medicines. The present chapter highlights several areas of this amazing world and focuses on the aspects of a promising fusion of nanotechnology and herbal wonders, converging into a futuristic wisdom.

Any abnormality in digesting food or lack of proper digestion is termed as indigestion. It refers to variety of gastrointestinal complaints, ranging from gas (belching or flatulence) to stomach upset. Common indigestion signs and symptoms are fullness, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, belching, bloating, ulcer, diarrhoea, dyspepsia and some other associated temporary discomforts or long lasting disorders. Treatment options are many which include change in food, drinks, lifestyle, synthetic medication, etc. But amongst all, the one by complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs), especially the time-tested phytotherapeutic traditional herbal remedies is gaining significance and reliance. Herbal medicinal plants and drugs therefrom are arguably the oldest forms of healthcare recognized to humanity and have been used by all cultures throughout history. Plants contain phytochemicals having specific as well as holistic biological functions, which may have a significant role in the treatment and prevention of various digestive disorders. The present review will address the indigestion issue as a common and universal discomfort to human being around the globe and also the magical healing options by some medicinal plants and herbals. With the remarkable surge of and reliance to the so-called CAM, it is imperative that the present and future researchers be aware of both the potential risks as well as the benefits of using herbal medicine in their cutting-edge exercise in the days ahead.