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Diabetes mellitus is a significant global health concern, especially in Iran. Currently, numerous oral antihyperglycemic agents and insulin are prescribed to manage diabetes. Historically, in Middle Eastern countries, medicinal herbals were used to manage diabetes in patients. Furthermore, the adverse effects of some diabetes management drugs provide an eager potential for researchers to find novel alternative treatments that reduce the side effects and also increase their efficacy. In addition, the rich history of Iranian traditional medicine reveals the vital role of traditional herbals and their compounds in treating and mitigating diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. Several studies conducted to investigate the hypoglycemic properties related to these plant species. In this narrative review, we aimed at a comprehensive study of Iranian plant species with antidiabetic properties through experimental evidence. Our review illustrated that the traditional herbal active ingredients are not well‐defined, limiting their standardization. Current efforts focus on identifying these components to improve their therapeutic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a chronic disease that has affected millions of people worldwide. The current treatments for diabetes, such as insulin therapy and oral medications, have limitations, including adverse effects and high costs. Therefore, there is a need for new and effective treatments for diabetes. Recent studies have shown that plants from the Chenopodiaceae family have anti-diabetic properties. In this study, we have identified 22 plants from the Chenopodiaceae family that have been reported to have anti-diabetic properties. These plants contain various bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenols that have been shown to have anti-diabetic effects. Some of these compounds can enhance insulin secretion, improve glucose uptake, and reduce blood glucose levels. The anti-diabetic properties of these plants have been investigated in vitro and in vivo studies, and the results are promising. Several of these plants have been shown to reduce blood glucose levels in animal models of diabetes significantly. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that plants from the Chenopodiaceae family have potential as safe and effective treatment options for diabetes. Further research is needed to fully understand these plants' mechanisms of action and safety profile. However, these findings provide a promising avenue for developing new anti-diabetic drugs from natural sources. Specifically, I've outlined three significant mechanisms: stimulation of insulin secretion, enhancement of glucose uptake, and inhibition of gluconeogenesis, all of which are attributed to the bioactive compounds found in Chenopodiaceae medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Zulus engage in complementary and alternative medicine through a traditional healing system known as izangoma. • The first review of the antidiabetic medicinal plants commonly used by the Zulus of Kwazulu-Natal province of South Africa. • The list includes local and botanical names, the parts commonly used, isolated bioactive principles and their reported mechanisms of action. • 38 plants covering 20 families were identified with Asteraceae accounting for 34.2% and the leaves was the most used plant part (50 %). • 29 have been scientifically validated while nine lack scientific verification. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Its conventional management involves diet modification, exercise, and majorly the use of synthetic drugs, which may be ineffective, have adverse effects, and of relatively expensive costs. To mitigate the downsides of the available treatments, alternative therapies from medicinal plants are commonly sought by different ethnic groups including the Zulus. This paper appraised the antidiabetic plants used by the Zulus, their local and botanical names, the parts commonly used, isolated bioactive principles and their reported mechanisms of action. 38 plants covering 20 families were identified with Asteraceae accounting for 31.57 % and the leaves was the most used plant part (50 %). Out of the 38 plants identified, 28 have been scientifically validated using in vitro/in vivo models but identifying the plant with the most potent hypoglycemic activity remains challenging due to variations in biological activities. Important antidiabetic agents such as quercetin, squalene, kaempferol, isomukaadial acetate, phytol, sitosterol, apigenin, catechin and their derivates have been isolated and characterized from the verified plants though, more scientific exploration is required to develop these principles into valuable antidiabetic medications with establish mechanism of action. Scientists therefore needs to beam their searchlight and dedicate resources to the rich botanicals of the Zulu land with the view to providing indigenous solutions that can be incorporated into modern medicine for diabetes management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For early hominids, frequent encounters with plant foods necessitated the ability to discern bitter poisons and adjust the activity of the gastrointestinal system in anticipation of carbohydrate-rich meals. Plants bitters were also used historically to manage a variety of metabolic and digestive disorders despite an immense structural diversity of bitter phytochemicals without a common molecular target. Our study confirms these observations in a standardized C57BL/6J prediabetic mouse model using 24 model compounds by demonstrating acute lower peak blood glucose values and improved glucose tolerance following intragastric, but not intraperitoneal, treatment. The administration of the synthetic bitter compound denatonium benzoate yielded similar results that were attenuated by co-application of the allosteric inhibitor of the bitter TAS2R receptors. We also show that these effects occur dose-dependently; associate with reduced glucose uptake, increased intracellular [Ca2+] fluxes, and enhanced GLP-1 expression; and are attenuated by the TAS2R inhibitor in the neuroendocrine STC-1 intestinal cells. These findings support the view that inhibition of glucose transport from the intestinal lumen to the blood by TAS2R bitter receptor signaling in the gut may represent a common mechanism in the acute response to oral ingestion of bitter phytochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the metabolic disease with the highest morbidity rates worldwide. The condition is characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and chronic inflammation, among other detrimental conditions. These decrease the efficiency of the immune system, leading to an increase in the susceptibility to bacterial infections. Maintaining an optimal blood glucose level is crucial in relation to the treatment of T2DM, because if the level of this carbohydrate is lowered, the risk of infections can be reduced. Currently, this is achieved using synthetic drug treatments that seek to moderately inhibit digestive enzymes (e.g., α-amylase and α-glucosidase), such as acarbose, voglibose, miglitol, etc. However, the use of these compounds also generates unwanted side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, stomach aches and a loss of appetite. Therefore, there is an increasing demand to find effective and safe alternatives for treating T2DM, such as herbal treatments. As a result, there has been a search for possible drugs from plants with both antidiabetic and antibacterial activity. This study presents a review of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of T2DM, secondary effects of the disease such as bacterial infections, and general comprehension of synthetic and natural product treatments to help patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have been conducted and published on medicinal plants used to manage Diabetes Mellitus worldwide. It is of great interest to review available studies from a country or a region to resort to similarities/discrepancies and data quality. Here, we examined data related to ethnopharmacology and bioactivity of antidiabetic plants used in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Data were extracted from Google Scholar, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, the Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, and other documents focusing on ethnopharmacology, pharmacology, and phytochemistry antidiabetic plants used in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2005 to September 2021. The Kew Botanic Royal Garden and Plants of the World Online web databases were consulted to verify the taxonomic information. CAMARADES checklist was used to assess the quality of animal studies and Jadad scores for clinical trials. In total, 213 plant species belonging to 72 botanical families were reported. Only one plant, Droogmansia munamensis, is typically native to the DRC flora; 117 species are growing in the DRC and neighboring countries; 31 species are either introduced from other regions, and 64 are not specified. Alongside the treatment of Diabetes, about 78.13% of plants have multiple therapeutic uses, depending on the study sites. Experimental studies explored the antidiabetic activity of 133 plants, mainly in mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. Several chemical classes of antidiabetic compounds isolated from 67 plant species have been documented. Rare phase II clinical trials have been conducted. Critical issues included poor quality methodological protocols, author name incorrectly written (16.16%) or absent (14.25%) or confused with a synonym (4.69%), family name revised (17.26%) or missing (1.10%), voucher number not available 336(92.05%), ecological information not reported (49.59%). Most plant species have been identified and authenticated (89.32%). Hundreds of plants are used to treat Diabetes by traditional healers in DRC. However, most plants are not exclusively native to the local flora and have multiple therapeutic uses. The analysis showed the scarcity or absence of high-quality, in-depth pharmacological studies. There is a need to conduct further studies of locally specific species to fill the gap before their introduction into the national pharmacopeia.

Several studies have been conducted and published on medicinal plants used to manage Diabetes Mellitus worldwide. It is of great interest to review available studies from a country or a region to resort to similarities/discrepancies and data quality. Here, we examined data related to ethnopharmacology and bioactivity of antidiabetic plants used in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Data were extracted from Google Scholar, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, the Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, and other documents focusing on ethnopharmacology, pharmacology, and phytochemistry antidiabetic plants used in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2005 to September 2021. The Kew Botanic Royal Garden and Plants of the World Online web databases were consulted to verify the taxonomic information. CAMARADES checklist was used to assess the quality of animal studies and Jadad scores for clinical trials. In total, 213 plant species belonging to 72 botanical families were reported. Only one plant, Droogmansia munamensis, is typically native to the DRC flora; 117 species are growing in the DRC and neighboring countries; 31 species are either introduced from other regions, and 64 are not specified. Alongside the treatment of Diabetes, about 78.13% of plants have multiple therapeutic uses, depending on the study sites. Experimental studies explored the antidiabetic activity of 133 plants, mainly in mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. Several chemical classes of antidiabetic compounds isolated from 67 plant species have been documented. Rare phase II clinical trials have been conducted. Critical issues included poor quality methodological protocols, author name incorrectly written (16.16%) or absent (14.25%) or confused with a synonym (4.69%), family name revised (17.26%) or missing (1.10%), voucher number not available 336(92.05%), ecological information not reported (49.59%). Most plant species have been identified and authenticated (89.32%). Hundreds of plants are used to treat Diabetes by traditional healers in DRC. However, most plants are not exclusively native to the local flora and have multiple therapeutic uses. The analysis showed the scarcity or absence of high-quality, in-depth pharmacological studies. There is a need to conduct further studies of locally specific species to fill the gap before their introduction into the national pharmacopeia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study mainly focused on the ethnomedicinal plants used by the Devendrakula Velalar community habiting in selected villages of Pudukkottai, an east coast district of Tamil Nadu, to manage diabetes. Ethnomedicinal data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 18 key informants during July 2019 to January 2020. A total of 22 medicinal remedies prepared from 20 ethnomedicinal plant under 13 families have been documented. Trees are the most common medicinal plants in the study area and leaf is mostly used for the preparation of herbal medicine. The most cited medicinal plant species for the diabetes management is Syzygium cumini with use value of 1.44. Further phytochemical and pharmacological studies are very essential on such species to validate their efficacy in the management of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medicinal plants are often used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, although knowledge about their mode of action and the substances responsible for their antidiabetic potential is limited. It is well known that some trace elements play a role in glucose metabolism and insulin action. Thus, a particular trace elements profile could be associated with the antidiabetic properties observed for some medicinal plants. Methods: Infusions (n = 102) prepared from commercial herbal products (n = 34) containing medicinal plants indicated for the treatment of diabetes (n = 16 different plant species) and infusions (n = 60) prepared from commercial herbal products (n = 20) containing medicinal plants without such an indication (n = 7 different plant species) were analyzed by ICP-MS for their trace elements content. Results: In both groups, results varied significantly between different medicinal plants and also between different origins (brands) of the same medicinal plant. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two groups were found for nine elements, including four trace elements related to glucose metabolism (Mn, B, V, and Se), but with lower median contents in the group of medicinal plants for diabetes. Conclusions: Except for some particular species (e.g., Myrtilli folium) in which the trace element Mn may play a role in its antidiabetic effect, globally, a direct association between the claimed antidiabetic properties and a specific trace element profile of the studied medicinal plants was not evident.

The use of conventional drugs to treat metabolic disorders and the pathological consequences of diabetes further increases the complications because of the side effects, and is sometimes burdensome due to relatively higher costs and occasionally painful route of administration of these drugs. Therefore, shifting to herbal medicine may be more effective, economical, have fewer side effects and might have minimal toxicity. The present review amasses a list of ethnomedicinal plants of 143 species belonging to 61 families, from distinctive domestic survey literature, reported to have been used to treat diabetes by the ethnic and local people of Bangladesh. Leaves of the medicinal plants were found leading in terms of their use, followed by fruits, whole plants, roots, seeds, bark, stems, flowers, and rhizomes. This review provides starting information leading to the search for and use of indigenous botanical resources to discover bioactive compounds for novel hypoglycemic drug development.

Diabetes is a global health problem, and the number of diabetic patients is in continuous rise. Conventional antidiabetic therapies are associated with high costs and limited efficiency. The use of traditional medicine and plant extracts to treat diabetes is gaining high popularity in many countries. Countries in the Middle East region have a long history of using herbal medicine to treat different diseases, including diabetes. In this review, we compiled and summarized all the in vivo and in vitro studies conducted for plants with potential antidiabetic activity in the Middle East region. Plants of the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families are the most investigated. It is hoped that this review will contribute scientifically to evidence the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants as antidiabetic agents. Work has to be done to define tagetes, mechanism of action and the compound responsible for activity. In addition, safety and pharmacokinetic parameters should be investigated.

Intracellular glucose concentration plays a crucial role in initiating the molecular secretory process of pancreatic β-cells through multiple messengers and signaling pathways. Cyclic nucleotides are key physiological regulators that modulate pathway interactions in β -cells. An increase of cyclic nucleotides is controled by hydrolysed phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which degrades cyclic nucleotides into inactive metabolites. Despite the undeniable therapeutic potential of PDE inhibitors, they are associated with several side effects. The treatment strategy for diabetes based on PDE inhibitors has been proposed for a long time. Hence, the world of natural antidiabetic medicinal plants represents an ideal source of phosphodiesterase inhibitors as a new strategy for developing novel agents to treat diabetes mellitus. This review highlights medicinal plants traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus that have been proven to have inhibitory effects on PDE activity. The contents of this review were sourced from electronic databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Springer Link, Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley Online, Scifinder and Google Scholar. These databases were consulted to collect information without any limitation date. After comprehensive literature screening, this paper identified 27 medicinal plants that have been reported to exhibit anti-phosphodiesterase activities. The selection of these plants was based on their traditional uses in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The review emphasizes the antiphosphodiesterase properties of 31 bioactive components derived from these plant extracts. Many phenolic compounds have been identified as PDE inhibitors: Brazilin, mesozygin, artonin I, chalcomaracin, norartocarpetin, moracin L, moracin M, moracin C, curcumin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, catechin, kaempferol, chlorogenic acid, and ellagic acid. Moreover, smome lignans have reported as PDE inhibitors: (+)-Medioresinol di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, (+)- Pinoresinol di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, (+)-Pinoresinol-4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→6)-β-dglucopyranoside, Liriodendrin, (+)-Pinoresinol 4'-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, and forsythin. This review provides a promising starting point of medicinal plants, which could be further studied for the development of natural phosphodiesterase inhibitors to treat diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it is important to consider clinical studies for the identification of new targets for the treatment of diabetes., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: There are several ways to identify medicinal power of phytoconstituents, such as in silico evaluations. Furthermore, ethnopharmacological researches are important alternatives for the identification of plants with medicinal potential. Significantly, medicinal plants are widely used by persons with Diabetes mellitus (DM) to treat manifestations of this syndrome.Objectives: i) to investigate the use of medicinal plants for individuals with DM and their health profile; ii) to evaluate in silico possible antidiabetic activities for main phytoconstituents of the commonly used plants.Methods: A questionnaire was used to measure consumption of medicinal plants. The Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS) platform was employed to perform in silico evaluations. In silico predictions for antidiabetic activities were performed with the main compounds identified in a literature review which focused on the more utilized plants.Results: We interviewed 105 persons with DM, most them women (73.34%). Overall mean age was 59.35 years, and 97.14% of them were diagnosed with type 2 DM. An evaluation of the routine exams of the interviewees showed that they have a poor metabolic control. Among the interviewees, 67.62% confirmed the use medicinal plants. Main forms of consumed plant preparation were infusion of leaves and in association with mate (a typical beverage of southern Brazil). Most interviewees consume five or more cups of infusion per day, and when consumed with the mate, 1.73 liters per day. Forty-six medicinal plants were mentioned, and cow's paw (Bauhinia) and jambolan (Syzygium cumini) were the most used. The main informed objective for the plant use was blood glucose control (69.01%). The PASS analysis presented six phytoconstituents with high antidiabetic prediction, especially, vicenin-2, the main phytochemical identified in Passiflora genus (Pa = 0.822).Conclusion: Our data show that persons with DM use many plants as a complementary treatment to the traditional medicine. Moreover, part of these plants presented phytoconstituents with antidiabetic potential. These data can serve as a basis for future investigations, with the objective of exploring in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic effects of these plants and its compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: An important approach to diabetes treatment involves the regulation of postprandial hyperglycemia by delaying the release of glucose into the bloodstream using inhibitors for carbohydrate digesting enzymes such as maltase. Current synthetic antidiabetic drugs are associated with side effects that have restricted their usage. Antidiabetic plants such as Zingiber officinale and Trigonella foenum-graecum, commonly used as medicinal herbs in India, provide an attractive alternative as a source of maltase inhibitors. Aim: This study aimed to determine maltase inhibitory activity in antidiabetic plants in comparison with that of a synthetic drug, Acarbose, used as a positive control. Study Design: In vitro Enzyme Inhibition Assay. Materials and Methods: Aqueous plant extracts were prepared using rhizome of Z. officinale and leaves of T. foenum-graecum. Varying concentrations of the aqueous plant extract were tested for maltase inhibitory activity using crude yeast maltase enzyme. Statistical Analysis: Unpaired, two tailed t-test was used to detect the significant difference between the mean maltase enzyme activity of the control and that of the test. Results: The aqueous extract of T. foenum-graecum exhibited a higher potent maltase inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 1.05% as compared to that of the aqueous extract of Z. officinale with IC50 value of 2.13%. Acarbose showed the highest potency of maltase inhibition with an IC50 value of 0.014%. Conclusion: Z. officinale and T. foenum-graecum have significant maltase inhibitory activity (p <0.05). Thus, a contributing factor to the antidiabetic property of the two plants may be attributed to their maltase inhibitory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Protein glycation is a major cause of chronic diabetic complications. Medicinal plants with protein glycation inhibitory potential will be benefi cial to prevent or delay diabetic complications. Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze protein glycation inhibitory potential of ten plants among which nine are well known for their antidiabetic effects. Methods: Methanol extracts were prepared using parts from nine plants namely, Coccinia grandis, Ficus racemosa, Gymnema lactiferum, Gymnema sylvestre, Musa paradisiaca, Phyllanthus debilis, Phyllanthus emblica, Strychnos potatorum and Tinospora cordifolia. Dried latex of Pterocarpus marsupium was used without further extraction. Glycation inhibitory potential of the extracts was analyzed using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and fructose, incubated in the presence or absence of plant extracts for 4 week. Appropriate controls and blanks and the standard inhibitor aminoguanidine were included. A novel native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) method established recently was used to detect the effect of plant extracts on the BSA glycation. Results: Previously we have demonstrated that the BSA migration towards the anode is increased proportionate to the degree of glycation. This increase was comparatively less when the glycation was inhibited. Accordingly, most promising antiglycation effects were observed with P. debilis (whole plant), P. emblica (fruit) and P. marsupium (latex). F. racemosa (stem bark) showed the highest inhibition among the remaining extracts. G. sylvestre (leaf), M. paradisiaca (yam) and T. cordifolia (leaf) also showed promising inhibition. C. grandis (leaf) and S. potatorum (seed) showed lower inhibition. Lowest inhibition was observed with G. lactiferum (leaf). Conclusion: We have demonstrated the antiglycation potential of some antidiabetic plants, using a novel method developed by us recently. Extracts of P. debilis, P. emblica and P. marsupium showed a strong protein glycation inhibitory potential.

We have reported earlier, an orally active insulin-like protein (ILP) from Costus igneus having potent hypoglycemic property in STZ-induced diabetic Swiss mice. The blood glucose level was reduced significantly within two hours after feeding ILP orally in an oral glucose tolerance test. The present study elucidates the mechanism underlying the hypoglycemic action of ILP. Mechanism of action of ILP was studied in differentiated L6 myotubes. 2-NBDG uptake stimulated by ILP was studied in differentiated L6 myotubes under normoglycemic, hyperglycemic and induced insulin resistant conditions. ILP treatment significantly increased 2-NBDG uptake in differentiated L6 myotubes. The levels of insulin signaling molecules IRS-1 and GLUT-4 were assessed in ILP treated L6 myotubes by immunoblot analysis of cytoplasmic and plasma membrane fractions respectively. Immunoblot analysis revealed an increase in cytoplasmic IRS-1 with a concomitant increase in GLUT-4 translocation to the plasma membrane in a time dependent manner. Toxicity studies of ILP were performed on normal as well as diabetic Swiss albino mice. ILP did not show any toxicity in the acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies in normal as well as diabetic Swiss albino mice. Mass spectrometry was carried out to identify ILP. MALDI TOF/TOF MS analysis of ILP revealed sequence homology with the predicted protein from Physcomitrella patens . Our study reveals that ILP acts via insulin signaling pathway and can be used as oral insulin mimetic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antidiabetic action of traditional plants is mostly attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These plants are still having some secrets, making them an attractive source that allows for investigating new drugs or uncovering precise pharmacologic antidiabetic functions of their constituents. In diabetes, which is a lipid disease, long-term exposure of pancreatic islet beta cells to fatty acids (FAs) increases basal insulin release, reduces glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, causes islet beta cell inflammation, failure and apoptosis. Pancreatic islet beta cells express fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3) that receives long-chain FAs and traffics them throughout different cellular compartments to be metabolized and render their effects. Inhibition of this FABP3 may retard FA metabolism and protect islet beta cells. Since FAs interact with FABPs by their carboxylic group, some traditionally-known antidiabetic plants were reviewed in the present study, searching for their components that have common features of FABP ligands, namely carboxylic group and hydrophobic tail. Many of these carboxylic acids were computationally introduced into the ligand-binding pocket of FABP3 and some of them exhibited FABP3 ligand possibilities. Among others, the naturally occurring ferulic, cleomaldeic, caffeic, sinapic, hydroxycinnamic, 4- p -coumaroylquinic, quinoline-2-carboxylic, chlorogenic, 6-hydroxykynurenic, and rosmarinic acids in many plants are promising candidates for being FABP3-specific inhibitors. The study shed light on repurposing these phyto-carboxylic acids to function as FABP inhibitors. However, more in-depth biological and pharmacological studies to broaden the understanding of this function are needed. [Display omitted] • FABP3 is expressed in pancreatic islet beta cells to mobilize long-chain FA. • Inhibition of FABP3 may retard FA metabolism and protect islets from lipotoxicity. • Traditional antidiabetic plants were reviewed for potential FABP ligands. • These carboxylic acids were docked into the ligand-binding pocket of FABP3. • Ferulic, cleomaldeic, caffeic, and sinapic acids are promising as FABP inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is projected by the World Health Organization (WHO) that by the year 2030, diabetes will be the leading cause of death in the world judging from the current trend of the disease. Medicinal plants are used in traditional systems all over the world since time immemorial. About 80% of the world population still rely on traditional herbal medicine to meet their primary health care needs especially in rural areas of developing nations. Scientific studies elucidating the mechanism of action of some traditional medicines have been instrumental in the development of some modern medicines. It is in the light of the above that the present review provides profiles of plants with hypoglycemic properties starting from the discovery of a well-known and acceptable medication for diabetes: metformin. We traced the origin of the discovery of metformin from the plant Galega officinalis (Family: Fabaceae) to the drug form and we have highlighted the various efforts taken for the final product to be arrived at. Plants discussed in this review include; Anacardium occidentale Linn, Bumelia sartorum Mart, Coccinia indica Wight & Arn, Phaseolus vulgaris L, Vaccinium myrtillus L, Rauwolfia vomitoria Afzel, Panax quinquefolius L, Panax ginseng C.A.Mey, Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Protein cross-linking which occurs towards the latter part of protein glycation is implicated in the development of chronic diabetic complications. Glycation induced protein cross-linking inhibitory effects of nine antidiabetic plants and three spices were evaluated in this study using a novel, simple, electrophoresis based method. Methods: Methanol extracts of thirteen plants including nine antidiabetic plants and three spices were used. Lysozyme and fructose were incubated at 37 °C in the presence or absence of different concentrations of plant extracts up to 31 days. Standard glycation inhibitor aminoguanidine and other appropriate controls were included. A recently established sodium dodecyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method was used to detect the products of protein cross-linking in the incubation mixtures. Results: High molecular weight protein products representing the dimer, trimer and tetramer of lysozyme were detected in the presence of fructose. Among the nine antidiabetic plants, seven showed glycation induced protein cross-linking inhibitory effects namely Ficus racemosa (FR) stem bark, Gymnema sylvestre (GS) leaves, Musa paradisiaca (MP) yam, Phyllanthus debilis (PD) whole plant, Phyllanthus emblica (PE) fruit, Pterocarpus marsupium (PM) latex and Tinospora cordifolia (TC) leaves. Inhibition observed with Coccinia grandis (CG) leaves and Strychnos potatorum (SP) seeds were much low. Leaves of Gymnema lactiferum (GL), the plant without known antidiabetic effects showed the lowest inhibition. All three spices namely Coriandrum sativum (CS) seeds, Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CZ) bark and Syzygium aromaticum (SA) flower buds showed cross-link inhibitory effects with higher effects in CS and SA. PD, PE, PM, CS and SA showed almost complete inhibition on the formation of cross-linking with 25 µg/ml extracts. Conclusions: Methanol extracts of PD, PE, PM, CS and SA have shown promising inhibitory effects on glycation induced protein cross-linking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and study aim Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs in approximately 80% of cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study investigated the effects of some plants used in Saudi Arabia as antidiabetic agents on T2DM and associated fatty liver. Materials and methods A total of 150 adult male albino rats were divided into six experimental groups, each consisting of 25 rats. Twenty-five rats were considered as the control group. Experimental diabetes was induced in the remaining rats by administering a subcutaneous injection of 120 mg/kg of freshly prepared alloxan solution; these rats were classified into five groups: one group did not receive any treatment; the second group was treated with an aqueous extract of a mixture containing fenugreek, Nigella , and termis seeds; the third group was treated with an aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds; the fourth group was treated with an aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds; and finally the fifth group was treated with an aqueous extract of termis seeds at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. After 4 weeks of treatment, biochemical parameters were calculated, including blood sugar and serum insulin levels. Pancreatic and liver samples were obtained and processed for microscopic evaluation. Results The usage of each plant alone or a mixture of the plants corrected the glucose and insulin levels. Microscopically, a definite improvement in the number and diameter of β-cells in the diabetic group was observed. Furthermore, considerable improvement in fatty changes occurring in the liver of experimental animals was observed. The activity of the mixture was the most effective. Conclusions The aqueous extract of the seed mixture of the used plants appeared to be a useful agent in improving fatty changes in the liver texture associated with T2DM by reducing hyperglycaemia through an increase in insulin levels, regeneration of β-cells of the pancreas, and an amelioration of associated dyslipidemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic/endocrine disorder throughout the world and cause serious medical problems to human health. Recent drastic changes over human dietary habits and contemporary lifestyle lead to various chronic disorders/diseases particularly metabolic diseases including obesity. Traditional medicinal plants and their active phyto-constituents have been used throughout the world for the therapy of diabetes and associated secondary complications. Among many medications and other alternative medicines, numerous herbs have been well-known to cure and prevent diabetes. Several traditionally important medicinal plants have been investigated for their beneficial use in different types of diabetes and its complications. The effects of these plants may delay the development of diabetic complications and alter the metabolic abnormalities using a variety of cellular and molecular mechanisms. A considerable number of active medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds were subjected to clinical trials and were found effective. Moreover, during the past few years many phyto-constituents responsible for antidiabetic effects have been isolated from plants showed higher potential than synthetic drugs. As a result, recently, considerable scientific attention has been directed towards classification/identification of traditional medicinal plants with antihyperglycemic ability that may be used for daily consumption along with the food. This review paper mainly focuses on natural phytoextracts with their pharmacological mechanism of action and their preclinical experimental model, which attracts the attention of pharmacologist, phytochemist and pharmocognosist for further scientific research towards endocrine metabolic disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is based on data recorded from various literatures pertaining to ethnophytomedicinal recipes used against diabetes in South East Asia (India, Pakistan and Srilanka). Traditional plant treatments have been used throughout the world for the therapy of diabetes mellitus. In total 419 useful phytorecipes of 270 plant species belonging to 74 Angiospermic families were collected. From the review it was revealed that plants showing hypoglycemic potential mainly belong to the families, Cucurbitaceae (16 spp.), Euphorbiaceae (15 spp.), Caesalpiniaceae and Papilionaceae (13 spp. each), Moraceae (11 spp.), Acanthaceae (10 spp.), Mimosaceae (09 spp.), Asteraceae, Malvaceae and Poaceae (08 spp. each), Hippocrateaceae, Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae (07 spp. each), Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae and Verbenaceae (06 spp. each), Apiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Solanaceae (05 spp.each). The most active plants are Syzigium cumini (14 recipes), Phyllanthus emblica (09 recipes), Centella asiatica and Momordica charantia (08 recipes each), Azadirachta indica (07 recipes), Aegle marmelos, Catharanthus roseus, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus racemosa, Gymnema sylvestre (06 recipes each), Allium cepa, A. sativum, Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa (05 recipes each), Citrullus colocynthis, Justicia adhatoda, Nelumbo nucifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Ziziphus mauritiana and Wattakaka volubilis (4 recipes each). These traditional recipes include extracts, leaves, powders, flour, seeds, vegetables, fruits and herbal mixtures. Data inventory consists of botanical name, recipe, vernacular name, English name. Some of the plants of the above data with experimentally confirmed antidiabetic properties have also been recorded. More investigations must be carried out to evaluate the mechanism of action of diabetic medicinal plants. Toxicity of these plants should also be explained. Scientific validation of these recipes may help in discovering new drugs from these medicinal plants for diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim of the study: DM represents an important independent risk factor for the development of and mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD), increasing the risk by 2 to 4 times. According to WHO data, more than 75% of patients with DM die due to vascular accidents. This study investigated the effects of some plants used in Saudi Arabia and some other Arab countries as antidiabetic agents and explores its metabolic effects. Material and Methods: One hundred fifty adult male Albino Rats were divided into six experimental groups each consist of twenty five rats. The first group was considered as a control group. The rest of groups were affected by induction of experimental diabetes by subcutaneous injection of Alloxan. The second group consisted of diabetic rats without any treatment. The third group was treated by the aqueous extract of mixture contains Foenugreek, Nigella sativa and Termis seeds. The fourth group was treated with the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds (100 mg / kg of body weight), while the fifth group was treated with the aqueous extract of Foenugreek seeds (100 mg / kg of body weight). The sixth one was treated with the aqueous extract of Termis seeds (100 mg/kg body weight). After four weeks of treatment, different biochemical parameters were performed including estimation of blood sugar level and serum insulin level. Pancreatic and liver samples were obtained and processed for microscopic and quantitative evaluation after staining the prepared sections with both Heamatoxylin and Eosin as well as special stain for demonstration of the different pancreatic cells in the Islet of the Langerhans. Results: The usage of the mixture or each plant alone corrected the glucose level and insulin level. Microscopically there was definite decrease in the number and diameter of beta pancreatic cells in the diabetic group while the other pancreatic cells were not affected (alpha and delta cells). The use of medicinal plants in the different groups of this study greatly improved such cellular changes and the level of blood sugar level was corrected. Also, improve dyslipidemia present in diabetic rats. The results showed that the activity of the mixture was better when compared with Nigella, Foenugreek or Termis seeds alone. Conclusions: The water extract of the mixture is the most powerful in amelioration hyperglycemia and most of all damage effects of Alloxan on hematological parameters and lipid profile. Also, it can control most of the metabolic risk factors of CAD in diabetic rats. So it is advised to use the plant mixture as an antidiabetic agent rather than the use of each plant separately. Repeating such study with the use of variable doses may be helpful in better evaluation for the required dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim of the study- Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease which affects large number of population all over the world. More than 400 traditional medicinal plants have been recorded for helping in controlling such disease. This study investigated effects of some plants used in Saudi Arabia and some other Arab countries as antidiabetic agents. Materials and Methods: One hundred fifty adult male Albino rats were divided into six experimental groups each consist of twenty five rats. The first group was considered as a control group. The rest of groups were affected by induction of experimental diabetes by subcutaneous injection of Alloxan. The second group consisted of diabetic rats without any treatment. The third group was treated by the aqueous extract of mixture contains Foenugreek, Nigella and Termis seeds. The fourth group was treated with the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds, while the fifth group was treated with the aqueous extract of Foenugreek seeds.The sixth one was treated with the aqueous extract of Termis seeds with the administered dose of the plant extracts (100 mg/kg body weight).After four weeks of treatment, different biochemical parameters were performed including estimation of blood sugar level and serum insulin level. Pancreatic and liver samples were obtained and processed for microscopic and quantitative evaluation after staining the prepared sections with both heamatoxylin and eosin as well as a special stain for demonstration of the different pancreatic cells in the Islet of Langerhans. Results: The usage of the mixture or each plant alone corrected the glucose level and insulin level. Microscopically there was definite decrease in the number and diameter of beta pancreatic cells in the diabetic group, while the other pancreatic cells were not affected (alpha and delta cells). The use of medicinal plants in the different groups of this study greatly improved such cellular changes and the level of blood sugar level was corrected. The present results showed that the activity of the mixture was the best when compared with Nigella, Foenugreek and Termis seeds. Conclusions: The water extract of the mixture is the most powerful in amelioration hyperglycemia and most of all damage effects of Alloxan on the liver and texture, hematological parameters, and lipid profile. So it is advised to use the plant mixture as an antidiabetic agent rather than the use of each plant separately. Repeating such study with the use of variable doses may be helpful in better evaluation for the required doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: There is very limited information regarding plants used by traditional healers for treating diabetes in Bangladesh, let alone compilation on the use of those. This study aimed at collecting and documenting information on antidiabetic plants traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes. Materials and methods: The survey was carried out in a period of almost 2 years. Fieldwork was undertaken in total of 15 districts of Bangladesh. Open-ended and semi structured questionnaire were used to interview a total of 1060 people including traditional healers, Ayurvedic/Unani drug manufacturers and local people. Results: A total of 83 plant species of 38 families were listed. Leaves were the most cited plant part used against diabetes. Most of the reported species were tree in nature and decoction is the mode of preparation of major portions of the plant species. Most of the plant species were very common and were cultivated or planted in homestead or roadsides. Conclusion: Conventional use of many antidiabetic plants of Bangladesh can be rationalized by the presence of active compounds found in those plants. The documentation could be important for the conservation of these plants and represent the preliminary information required for future phytochemical investigation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: This survey was carried out in the coastal lowlands of Guinea–Conakry in order to make an inventory of plants used by traditional healers, herbalists and diabetic patients for the management of diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: Frequent ethnomedical and ethnobotanical investigations were conducted from June 2008 to December 2009 in Conakry, Kindia, Forécariah, Dubréka, Boke, Fria and Boffa. It is a cross-sectional survey and data collection is based on the interactive method. During this period a total of 112 people aged from 39 to 76 years old were interviewed. Results: During this investigation 146 plant species belonging to 55 families were collected. The most cited plants were Anacardium occidentale L. and Ficus spp., while the Fabaceae family was the most represented, followed by the Euphorbiaceae and Rubiaceae. The most frequently plant parts used by the traditional healers and the herbalists were the stem-bark and decoctions the most common preparation mode. Conclusions: It is clear that a variety of plants is used in the management and treatment of diabetes. Due to the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes, there is an urgent need for scientific investigations to rationalise the use of these traditional remedies, which could represent accessible alternative medicines for the Guinean populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Diabetes has become the most common metabolic disease worldwide. In particular, type 2 diabetes is the most commonly encountered type of diabetes, which is characterised by the inability of the organism to respond to normal levels of circulating insulin, also called insulin resistance. Current antidiabetic therapy is based on synthetic drugs that very often have side effects. For this reason, there is a continuous need to develop new and better pharmaceuticals as alternatives for the management and treatment of the disease. Natural hypoglycaemic compounds may be attractive alternatives to synthetic drugs or reinforcements to currently used treatments. Their huge advantage is that they can be ingested in everyday diet. Recently, more attention is being paid to the study of natural products as potential antidiabetics. This mini review of the current literature is structured into three main sections focused on: (a) plant extracts, (b) plant biomolecules, and (c) other natural molecules that have been used for their antidiabetic effects. Potential molecular mechanisms of action are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Six Indian plants, commonly used as culinary plants, herbs or spices (kikar; jamun; neem; harad; fenugreek; bitter gourd), were screened and compared for their antidiabetic potential in vitro. Aqueous plant extracts were prepared and assessed for their effect on the insulin secretion activity of rat pancreatic INS-1 β-cells and glucose consumption in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes in order to study their specific mechanisms of action. The effect of the plant extract concentration (25–1000μg/ml) on insulin release and glucose consumption was also studied. All the extracts had a significant stimulatory effect on the insulin secretion of INS-1 cells. In the presence of kikar extract (100μg/ml), an increase of 228% in insulin release was recorded compared to the control (5.6mM glucose) whereas that was 270% and 367% in the presence of kikar and jamun extracts (500μg/ml), respectively. 3T3-L1 cells treated with jamun extract (100μg/ml) exhibited the highest increase in glucose consumption by the cells (94%, compared with the control) followed by harad (53%) and fenugreek (50%) extracts. A significant inhibitory effect of the fenugreek, kikar and jamun extracts on glucose diffusion across a dialysis membrane suggested that these extracts could partly act by decreasing glucose absorption in the small intestine. The results showed that a combination of these plants in diet could help in the management of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Context: Eryngium creticum Lam. (Umbelliferae) , Geranium graveolens L.Her.exn Ait (Geraniaceae) , Paronychia argentea Lam. (Caryophyllaceae), and Varthemia iphionoides Boiss (Compositae) have traditionally been used as antidiabetic phytomedicines. However, their alleged benefits and mechanisms remain elusive. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of these plants on in vitro and in vivo enzymatic starch digestion. Materials and methods: In vitro enzymatic starch digestion with acarbose or (1--50 or 100 mg/ml) plants aqueous extracts was assayed using αα-amylase and αα-amyloglucosidase. Oral starch tolerance tests and oral glucose tolerance tests were determined for the plant extracts at concentrations 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight. Blood glucose levels in rats treated with plant extracts or drugs (acarbose or metformin and glipizide) were measured at −−30, 0, 45, 90, and 135 min. Results and discussion: In vitro, acarbose, and water extracts of G. graveolens and V. iphionoides exerted significant dose-dependent dual inhibition of αα-amylase and αα-glucosidase, with respective IC50s of 1.2 μμg/ml, 84.7, and 65.2 mg/ml. Comparable in vivo acute postprandial antihyperglycemic efficacies were obtained for G. graveolens and V. iphionoides in starch-fed rats. E. creticum exhibited substantial acute antihyperglycemic activities in starch-treated rats, despite lacking any favorable in vitro effectiveness. However, P. argentea lacked any inhibitory efficacy. None of the plant extracts qualified for improving the glucose tolerance in fasted rats on glucose loading. Conclusion: G. graveolens and V. iphionoides can be considered as potential candidates for therapeutic modulation of impaired fasting glycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim of the study: Since ancient times, practicians of traditional Chinese medicine have discovered that Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch. (Asteraceae) seed powder was useful for the treatment of diabetes. Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch. gum (ASK gum), which is extracted from seed powder of the plant, is a novel food additive favored by the food industry in China. The objective of this study was to determine the antidiabetic function of ASK gum on type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: Type 2 diabetic rat model was induced with high fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin (STZ). The effects of ASK gum on hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, insulin resistance, and liver fat accumulation in type 2 diabetic rats were evaluated. The results were compared to those of normal rats and diabetic rats treated with metformin. Results: The addition of ASK gum to the rats’ food supply significantly lowered fasting blood glucose, glycated serum protein, serum cholesterol, and serum triglyceride in type 2 diabetic rats, and significantly elevated liver glucokinase, liver glycogen, and serum high density protein cholesterol in the diabetic rats. ASK gum significantly reduced insulin resistance and liver fat accumulation of type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: : Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch. gum can alleviate hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia and insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Medicinal plants are often used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, although knowledge about their mode of action and the substances responsible for their antidiabetic potential is limited. It is well known that some trace elements play a role in glucose metabolism and insulin action. Thus, a particular trace elements profile could be associated with the antidiabetic properties observed for some medicinal plants. Methods: Infusions (n = 102) prepared from commercial herbal products (n = 34) containing medicinal plants indicated for the treatment of diabetes (n = 16 different plant species) and infusions (n = 60) prepared from commercial herbal products (n = 20) containing medicinal plants without such an indication (n = 7 different plant species) were analyzed by ICP-MS for their trace elements content. Results: In both groups, results varied significantly between different medicinal plants and also between different origins (brands) of the same medicinal plant. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two groups were found for nine elements, including four trace elements related to glucose metabolism (Mn, B, V, and Se), but with lower median contents in the group of medicinal plants for diabetes. Conclusions: Except for some particular species (e.g., Myrtilli folium) in which the trace element Mn may play a role in its antidiabetic effect, globally, a direct association between the claimed antidiabetic properties and a specific trace element profile of the studied medicinal plants was not evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study reports an ethnobotanical survey by means of semi-structured questionnaire of medicinal plants in five districts of Lagos State of Nigeria reputed for the treatment of diabetes. 100 respondents from the predominantly Yoruba tribe mostly males (76%) were knowledgeable in traditional treatment of diabetes. About half of the respondents with 20–30 years experience in treating diabetes used mainly herbs (96%) and have developed effective and easily recognised diagnostic tools. 92% of diabetic patients were usually out-patients aged 21–60 years. Diabetes trado-specialists (80%) rarely referred their patients but usually treated referred cases (96%). Fifty multi-component herbal recipes covered in the survey were mainly liquid preparations often administered without serious side effects (92%). The principal antidiabetic plants included Vernonia amygdalina, Bidens pilosa, Carica papaya, Citrus aurantiifolia, Ocimum gratissimum, Momordica charantia and Morinda lucida. Dietary recommendations also accompanied therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayan region is characterized by a rich floral diversity and an equally rich ethnomedicinal tradition. Herbal medicine is the dominant system of medicine practiced by the local tribes of this region for the treatment of diabetes. During the course of the present studies it was found that 37 species of plants belonging to 28 families are used as antidiabetic agents in the folk medicinal practices in the region and 81% of these plants are hitherto unreported as hypoglycemic agents. This finding may lead to serious research towards developing new and efficient drugs for diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ibervillea sonorae''s root, or “wareque” (Cucurbitaceae), is widely used in Mexican traditional medicine for the control of diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the hypoglycemic effects produced by the acute and chronic administration of various extracts of Ibervillea sonorae were investigated. Both the traditional preparation (aqueous decoction) and the raw extract (juice) from the root resulted in significant reductions of glycemia in healthy mice after intraperitoneal administration at a dose of 600mg/kg. Additionally, ground dried root was used to obtain a dichloromethane (DCM) extract and a methanol (MeOH) extract. The DCM extract induced a clear reduction of glycemia in healthy (P &#60;0.05) and in alloxan-diabetic mice. The intraperitoneally administered DCM extract caused a severe hypoglycemia that produced lethality in all the treated animals when doses of 300 and 600mg/kg body weight were used. Since the DCM extract showed a marked hypoglycemic activity, it was administered daily per os to alloxan diabetic rats, employing corn oil and tolbutamide as controls. After 41 days of DCM extract administration at a dose of 300mg/kg/day, diabetic rats showed improvement in glycemia, body weight, triglycerides, and GPT in comparison with the diabetic control group. Total cholesterol, GOT, and uric acid blood levels were not affected. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Acute hypoglycemic effects of freeze-dried juice of Cucurbita ficifolia Bouche´ (Cucurbitaceae) fruits were studied in healthy and alloxan-diabetic mice. C. ficifolia fruit administered by intraperitoneal route produced, in a dose-dependent manner, a significant decrease of the glycemia in healthy mice. Although oral route of C. ficifolia fruit juice also caused significant reductions of blood glucose levels in healthy mice, the effect was minor. The juice administered by intraperitoneal route showed an acute hypoglycemic effect in alloxan-diabetic mice. In addition, daily oral administration of this preparation showed a highly significant reduction of the glycemia after 14 days of treatment. Freeze- dried juice caused acute toxicity when administered intraperitoneally, and also when it was administered daily by the oral route. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Seven plants and a herbal mixture used for traditional treatment of diabetes were studied in streptozotocin diabetic mice. The treatments were supplied as 6.25% by weight of the diet for 9 days. Consumption of diets containing bearberry ( Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), golden seal ( Hydrastis canadensis), mistletoe ( Viscum album) and tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculus) significantly reduced the hyperphagia and polydipsia associated with streptozotocin diabetes, but bayberry ( Cinnamomum tamala), meadowsweeet ( Filipendula ulmaria), senna ( Cassia occidentalis) and the herbal mixture did not alter these parameters. Bearberry, mistletoe and tarragon retarded the body weight loss but none of the eight treatments significantly altered plasma glucose or insulin concentrations. These studies suggest that bearberry, golden seal, mistletoe and tarragon may counter some of the symptoms of streptozotocin diabetes without, however, affecting glycemic control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromium (Cr3+) is an essential micronutrient for humans. Its main action is thought to be the regulation of blood sugar, because chromium deficiency is associated with diabetic-like symptoms, and chromium supplementation is correlated with increased glucose tolerance and insulin sensivity. Some Portuguese aromatic plants are utilized as tisanes by diabetic people as medicinal plants. Their active principle is not yet known, and the importance of their chromium content in the claimed therapeutic properties should not be discarded. Therefore, determination of chromium in some Portuguese medicinal plants was performed by flameless atomic absorption. All the analyzed plants contain chromium at the normal level for this element, but the plants used to prepare tisanes to help diabetic conditions contain higher levels (2.2 μg/g dry wt ±0.88; n=11) than the others (0.88 μg/g dry wt±0.18; n=17). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of conventional drugs to treat metabolic disorders and the pathological consequences of diabetes further increases the complications because of the side effects, and is sometimes burdensome due to relatively higher costs and occasionally painful route of administration of these drugs. Therefore, shifting to herbal medicine may be more effective, economical, have fewer side effects and might have minimal toxicity. The present review amasses a list of ethnomedicinal plants of 143 species belonging to 61 families, from distinctive domestic survey literature, reported to have been used to treat diabetes by the ethnic and local people of Bangladesh. Leaves of the medicinal plants were found leading in terms of their use, followed by fruits, whole plants, roots, seeds, bark, stems, flowers, and rhizomes. This review provides starting information leading to the search for and use of indigenous botanical resources to discover bioactive compounds for novel hypoglycemic drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a global health problem, and the number of diabetic patients is in continuous rise. Conventional antidiabetic therapies are associated with high costs and limited efficiency. The use of traditional medicine and plant extracts to treat diabetes is gaining high popularity in many countries. Countries in the Middle East region have a long history of using herbal medicine to treat different diseases, including diabetes. In this review, we compiled and summarized all the in vivo and in vitro studies conducted for plants with potential antidiabetic activity in the Middle East region. Plants of the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families are the most investigated. It is hoped that this review will contribute scientifically to evidence the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants as antidiabetic agents. Work has to be done to define tagetes, mechanism of action and the compound responsible for activity. In addition, safety and pharmacokinetic parameters should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease affecting a large population worldwide and stands as one of the major global health challenges to be tackled. According to World Health Organization, about 400 million are having diabetes worldwide and it is the seventh leading cause of deaths in 2016. Plant-based natural products have been in use from ancient times as ethnomedicine for the treatment of several diseases, including diabetes. As a result of that, there are several reports on plant-based natural products displaying antidiabetic activity. In the current review, such antidiabetic potential compounds reported from all plant sources along with their chemical structures are collected, presented and discussed. These kinds of reports are essential to pool the available information to one source, followed by statistical analysis and screening to check the efficacy of all known compounds in a comparative sense. This kind of analysis can give rise to a few potential compounds from hundreds, which can further be screened through in vitro and in vivo studies, and human trails leading to the drug development., Methods: Phytochemicals, along with their potential antidiabetic property, were classified according to their basic chemical skeleton. The chemical structures of all the compounds with antidiabetic activities were elucidated in the present review. In addition to this, the distribution and their other remarkable pharmacological activities of each species are also included., Results: The scrutiny of literature led to the identification of 44 plants with antidiabetic compounds (70) and other pharmacological activities. For the sake of information, the distribution of each species in the world is given. Many plant derivatives may exert anti-diabetic properties by improving or mimicking insulin production or action. Different classes of compounds including sulfur compounds (1-4), alkaloids (5-11), phenolic compounds (12-17), tannins (18-23), phenylpropanoids (24-27), xanthanoids (28-31), amino acid (32), stilbenoid (33), benzofuran (34), coumarin (35), flavonoids (36-49) and terpenoids (50-70) were found to be potential active compounds for antidiabetic activity. Of the 70 listed compounds, majorly 17 compounds are obtained from triterpenoids, 13 from flavonoids and 7 from alkaloids. Among all the 44 plant species, the maximum number (7) of compounds were isolated from Lagerstroemia speciosa followed by Momordica charantia (6) and S. oblonga with 5 compounds., Conclusion: This is the first paper to summarize the established chemical structures of phytochemicals that have been successfully screened for antidiabetic potential and their mechanisms of inhibition. The reported compounds could be considered as potential lead molecules for the treatment of type-2 diabetes. Further, molecular and clinical trials are required to select and establish therapeutic drug candidates., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)