Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Phytochemicals in Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants are a rich reservoir of bioactive phytochemicals—such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, terpenoids and saponins—that exert both antioxidant and antidiabetic effects. Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between free radical generation and antioxidant defences, is a key contributor to β-cell dysfunction, insulin resistance and diabetes-related complications. Plant-derived antioxidants scavenge reactive oxygen species, upregulate endogenous defence enzymes and protect pancreatic islets. Concurrently, specific phytochemicals modulate carbohydrate-metabolising enzymes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase), inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase-IV activity, enhance insulin secretion and improve peripheral glucose uptake. The integration of these dual actions positions phytochemical-rich extracts as promising nutraceuticals and leads for novel therapeutic agents, with global significance for diabetes management and the prevention of oxidative damage in metabolic disorders.

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Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Phytochemicals in Medicinal Plants publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in antioxidant and antidiabetic phytochemicals in medicinal plants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Phytochemical: A bioactive chemical compound produced by plants, often with medicinal properties.

Oxidative stress: Cellular damage caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defences.

α-Glucosidase: An intestinal enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into glucose; inhibition slows postprandial blood sugar rise.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV): A protease that degrades incretin hormones; inhibition prolongs insulin-stimulating effects.

Insulin sensitivity: The efficiency with which cells respond to insulin, facilitating glucose uptake and utilisation.

Pancreatic β-cells: Insulin-producing cells in the pancreas whose function is critical for blood glucose regulation.

References

1. Analysis of Antidiabetic Activity of Squalene via In Silico and In Vivo Assay. Molecules (2023).
2. Potential of Syzygnium polyanthum as Natural Food Preservative: A Review. Foods (2023).
3. Identification of phenolic secondary metabolites from Schotia brachypetala Sond. (Fabaceae) and demonstration of their antioxidant activities in Caenorhabditis elegans. PeerJ (2016).