Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and its sequelae in micro- and macrovascular disease. Although various synthetic anti-diabetic drugs are available, long-term use of these causes serious side effects and cost more to the patient as well as patients' non compliance lead us to develop safer and antidiabetic drugs with multiple targets. Medicinal plants with traditional uses serve as the significant source of bioactive compounds from different classes that work on variety of modes to regulate glucose. India, a biodiversity hot spot region of world, is located in northeastern India and has valuable ethnomedicinal knowledge for treatment of diabetes. Among these, Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth. and Xylosma longifolia Clos. which receive much attention as an old remedy and increasing scientific evidence.
In this review, pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and biological studies on S. wallichii and X. longifolia were critically compiled and appraised with focus on their anti-diabetic potential. The macroscopic characters, microscopical characteristics, physico-chemical constants and chromatographic profiling were described as standard parameters to support the authenticity and quality control of these herbs. Phytochemicals reported studies appear to contain flavonoids, phenolics, tannins and other bioactive molecules having antidiabetic abilities. Sequential in vitro and in vivo studies showed pronounced antihyperglycemic effects associated with α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, antioxidant-mediated protection of pancreatic β-cells, and increased peripheral glucose uptake reflecting an enhanced sensitivity towards insulin as well as a corrected lipid metabolism. Preliminary toxicological assessment indicate an overall positive safety profile, which is however based on few chronic toxicity and clinical investigations. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the therapeutic potential of S. walalichii and X. longifolia as multi-targeted antidiabetic agents and advocates for a systematic standardization, isolation of bioactive compounds along with clinical validation to enable them to be developed into evidence-based phytotherapeutic agents.
Keywords: Schima wallichii; Xylosma longifolia; antidiabetic mechanisms; pharmacognostic standardization; ethnomedicine; Northeast India
How to cite this article: Hussain M, Sikdar P, Nath B, Alam S, Mehta CC, Ahmed E, Rahman A, Pharmacognostic Characterization and Antidiabetic Mechanisms of Schima wallichii and Xylosma longifolia: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(2s): 804-813; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.804-813