Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism associated with absolute or relative deficiency in insulin secretion or insulin action [19]. Diabetes mellitus is also associated with an increased risk for developing premature atherosclerosis due to independent risk factors such as hypertriglyceridemia and hypertension [51]. Insulin therapy and oral hypoglycemic agents offer effective glycemic control; yet, their shortcomings limit their usage [2]. The world health organization has also recommended the evaluation of the effectiveness of plants in conditions where we lack safe modern drugs [64]. Phytochemicals isolated from plant sources are used for the prevention and treatment of cancer, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure [63]. Plants are reputed in the indigenous systems of medicine for the treatment of various diseases [3], the available literature shows that there are more than 800 plant species showing hypoglycemic activity