Cucumber Economic Values and Its Cultivation and Breeding

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death globally. One of the strategies for managing diabetes is the antidiabetic drugs which have recorded a huge success but are accompanied by different degrees of side effects, hence, the use of natural plant products is encouraged. Several reports of antidiabetic medicinal plants have flooded the literature but few have led to the identification of active ingredient in such. Cucumis sativus is one of such plants reported to have antidiabetic properties but there is little or no data on the active agent. This chapter therefore provides a report on the active principle and mechanism of action underlying the antidiabetic activity of C. sativus. Keywords: diabetes, Cucumis sativus, flavonoids, kaempferol