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INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Medicinal plants: Natural diabetes remedies

polypeptide. Incretins trigger the liver to release stored sources with the potential to play an important role in the
glucose, which raises blood glucose levels and stimulates treatment or management of diabetes. Approximately 410
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the pancreas to release insulin, a hormone that lowers medicinal plants have experimentally proven anti-diabetic
blood glucose and blocks the hormone glucagon. 30 activities. These medicinal plants contain important anti-
diabetic properties without harmful side effects, and
3.2.2. Saxagliptin nowadays, many individuals from urban and rural areas
In July 2009, the FDA authorized saxagliptin, which is depend on natural plants to treat various chronic diseases.
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generally recommended as an addition to diet and exercise Tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolics are rich
to improve glycemic control in individuals with T2DM. sources found in medicinal plants, essential for improving
One oral dose of 5 mg of saxagliptin is recommended once the effectiveness of the pancreatic tissues by regulating
daily; this dosage produces broad absorption. Saxagliptin the intestinal absorption of glucose and the secretion
is mostly metabolized by the hepatic cytochrome P450 of insulin. Therefore, medicinal plants can be used in
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isoenzyme CYP3A4/5. It is eliminated by both metabolism the treatment of diabetes due to their therapeutically
and renal excretion. 31 important phytochemicals present in natural plants.
This treatment can also be more affordable for everyone
3.2.3. Sergliflozin suffering from diabetes, making medicinal plants the focus
Sergliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, for the development of alternative therapies for DM.
has shown dose-dependent urine glucose excretion in The use of medicinal plants for healing and treatment
animal experiments. In clinical trials, a single oral dose of of diseases dates back to ancient times. In antiquity, people
sergliflozin resulted in dose-dependent glycosuria during turned to nature for remedies as a means of recovery from
fasting and after meals but had no effect on the excretion of diseases. There exists a profound connection between
electrolytes in the urine. In addition, it significantly reduced the search for natural remedies and historical mandates,
weight in healthy obese adults compared to a placebo. supported by ample evidence from various sources.
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However, there have been a few mild side effects, such as Humanity’s enduring struggle against disease has prompted
headache, sore throat, and dyspepsia in diabetic patients. In the utilization of roots, seeds, fruits, stems, barks, and
terms of metabolism, it exhibits a pharmacokinetic profile other plant parts as sources of medical drugs. This practice
comparable to that of remigliflozin. Consequently, phase II has heightened awareness of the use of medicinal plants.
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clinical trials for sergliflozin have halted despite the drug’s To this day, traditional medicinal plant remedies continue
encouraging profile when treating obese diabetic patients.
to be the easily accessible and most affordable source of
3.2.4. Liraglutide treatment within the health-care system, with ethnobotany
serving as a rich resource for natural drug research and
As a GLP-1 counterpart, liraglutide is 97% similar to development in African and Asian countries. 40,41
natural human GLP-1 except for a single amino acid
substitution and a side chain of glutamate-linked fatty Plants, being living entities, possess the element of life,
acids. When used to treat T2DM, it has demonstrated which is absent from artificial substances. They are capable
safety, effectiveness, and acceptability as a glucose-lowering of working in harmony with the physiological processes
medication. Liraglutide reduces insulin resistance while of the human body, supporting the normal operation of
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lowering systolic blood pressure, body weight, visceral fat, body systems and facilitating self-healing. Most modern
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and other cardiovascular risk factors. It also improves lipid medicines are designed to suppress symptoms, and research
profile. Liraglutide is a desirable alternative for the therapy has shown that these treatments are less effective and have
of insulin resistance because of its positive effects on all more contraindications, making the use of traditional
aspects of the metabolic syndrome, also known as insulin medicinal plants topical once again. 39
resistance syndrome, with a low risk of hypoglycemia. It A medicinal plant is any plant with one or more of its
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has been demonstrated that liraglutide lowers triglyceride parts or organs containing substances that can be exploited
levels without changing the concentration of other lipids. for therapeutic purposes. They are also defined as any
The recommended initial dose is 0.6 mg, which can be plants that are precursors in the synthesis of medicinal
increased to 1.2 mg or even 1.8 mg if necessary. 35 drugs for the treatment of various diseases. Naturally,
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4. Medicinal plants and their health plants produce metabolites that are not food but are
essential to their defense mechanism to protect themselves
benefits from harmful insects, pathogenic microbes, and
Medicinal plants have garnered increasing attention unfavorable environmental changes. These metabolites
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from researchers and are reported as one of the natural are responsible for the medicinal value of these plants and

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2024) 5 doi: 10.36922/itps.1885