Antidiabetic Mechanisms of Dietary Polyphenols
Summary
Dietary polyphenols encompass a broad class of plant‐derived secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes and lignans, which have emerged as pivotal modulators of glucose homeostasis and insulin action. These compounds exert multifactorial antidiabetic effects by attenuating postprandial glycaemic excursions through inhibition of α‐glucosidase and sodium–glucose cotransporter activity, enhancing insulin secretion from pancreatic β‐cells and improving insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. Concurrently, polyphenols suppress pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes by downregulating NF-κB and MAPK signalling and scavenging reactive oxygen species. At the molecular level, they activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), thereby promoting glucose uptake, lipid oxidation and mitochondrial function. Metabolic transformation by the gut microbiota and variations in bioavailability further influence their efficacy. These mechanistic insights underpin the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals designed to prevent and manage diabetes on a global scale.
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Antidiabetic Mechanisms of Dietary Polyphenols publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in antidiabetic mechanisms of dietary polyphenols across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Polyphenol: A class of plant‐derived compounds characterised by multiple phenolic rings, known for antioxidant and signalling-modulatory activities.
Oxidative stress: An imbalance between pro-oxidant species and antioxidant defences, leading to cellular dysfunction and insulin resistance.
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK): A key cellular energy sensor that promotes glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation upon activation.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs): Nuclear receptors that regulate lipid and glucose metabolism and influence insulin sensitivity.
Bioavailability: The fraction of an ingested compound that reaches systemic circulation and is available for physiological action.
References
- Impact of Dietary Polyphenols on Carbohydrate Metabolism. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2010).
- Antidiabetic properties of dietary flavonoids: a cellular mechanism review. Nutrition & Metabolism (2015).
- Antioxidative and Antidiabetic Effects of Natural Polyphenols and Isoflavones. Molecules (2016).
- Dietary polyphenols as potential nutraceuticals in management of diabetes: a review. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders (2013).
- Antioxidant Effects and Mechanisms of Medicinal Plants and Their Bioactive Compounds for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: An Updated Review. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity (2020).
- Pharmaceutical Drugs and Natural Therapeutic Products for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Pharmaceuticals (2021).
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