India possesses a rich heritage of medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of diabetes mellitus and associated oxidative stress. Chhattisgarh, known for its vast forest cover and tribal population, is particularly significant for its ethnomedicinal wealth. The present review aims to compile and critically analyze antidiabetic and antioxidant herbs found in India, with special reference to medicinal plants traditionally used in Chhattisgarh. Information was collected from published research articles, ethnobotanical surveys, classical Ayurvedic literature, and scientific databases. Several medicinal plants such as Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Syzygium cumini, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and Tinospora cordifolia have been reported to exhibit significant antidiabetic activity through mechanisms including enhancement of insulin secretion, improvement of insulin sensitivity, inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, and regeneration of pancreatic β-cells. Many of these plants also possess strong antioxidant properties attributed to bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, and glycosides, which help in reducing oxidative stress associated with diabetes and its complications. Tribal communities of Chhattisgarh have been using these plants for generations as part of their traditional healthcare systems. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of these herbs and emphasizes the need for systematic pharmacological validation, standardization, and clinical studies. The integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific research may lead to the development of safer and more effective plant-based antidiabetic formulations.
