Medicinal Plant Applications in Diabetes Management

Diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2, poses a growing global health burden characterised by elevated blood glucose, dyslipidaemia and chronic inflammation. Conventional pharmacotherapies, though effective at reducing hyperglycaemia, can be accompanied by adverse effects and limited accessibility in low-resource settings. Medicinal plants offer a complementary approach, harnessing a rich repertoire of bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, terpenoids and polysaccharides. These compounds exert multifaceted effects including inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, preservation of pancreatic β-cell integrity and modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. Traditional systems of medicine across Asia, Africa and Latin America have long employed herbs like those in the Asteraceae family and Buddleja cordata for glycaemic control and amelioration of diabetic complications. Modern research has begun to isolate active constituents, elucidate mechanisms of action and develop standardised extracts or nutraceutical formulations. Integration of plant-derived interventions with lifestyle modification and standard care can improve glycaemic indices, reduce the risk of vascular and renal complications and offer cost-effective, scalable strategies for diabetes management in diverse populations.

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Medicinal Plant Applications in Diabetes Management publication trend

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Technical terms

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): chronic metabolic disorder characterised by persistent elevation of blood glucose arising from insulin resistance and progressive β‐cell dysfunction.

Phytochemicals: bioactive compounds produced by plants, including flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids, which can modulate physiological processes.

Insulin resistance: reduced responsiveness of target tissues to circulating insulin, leading to impaired glucose uptake and hyperglycaemia.

β‐cell function: capacity of pancreatic β‐cells to secrete insulin in response to rising blood glucose levels.

α‐amylase: enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates into oligosaccharides, targeted by inhibitors to slow postprandial glucose absorption.

α‐glucosidase: intestinal enzyme responsible for the final step of carbohydrate digestion, inhibition of which delays glucose entry into the circulation.

References

1. Plant-Based Diets and Phytochemicals in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus and Prevention of Its Complications: A Review. Nutrients (2024).
2. Effect of Buddleja cordata Leaf Extract on Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
3. Potential use of the Asteraceae family as a cure for diabetes: A review of ethnopharmacology to modern day drug and nutraceuticals developments. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2023).
4. Pharmacologically Active Phytomolecules Isolated from Traditional Antidiabetic Plants and Their Therapeutic Role for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus. Molecules (2022).