Page 48 - ITPS-7-3

INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Medicinal plants: Natural diabetes remedies

tolerance. Male albinos administered 150 mg/kg body the extract induces hypotriglyceridemia in diabetic rats
weight of M. koenigii ethanolic extract orally for 30 days by lowering triglyceride levels. The aqueous extract was
showed increases in insulin, C-peptide, hemoglobin, and found to improve liver functioning by normalization of the
protein levels, along with a decrease in blood glucose and activity of alanine transaminase, a liver-specific enzyme.
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glycosylated hemoglobin. 67,68 The inclusion of inorganic Some of the medicinal plants are listed in Table 3 with their
trace elements in M. koenigii leaf extracts may be beneficial main phytochemical components.
in managing glucose tolerance disorders and may play
an indirect role in the management of DM. These trace 6. Anti-diabetic mechanism of natural
elements include zinc, copper, chromium-vanadium, phenolic compounds
nickel, iron, sodium, and potassium.
Non-flavonoid phenolics consist of two basic carbon
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5.10. Phyllanthus emblica frameworks: hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic.
These structures can be divided into four groups: phenolic
P. emblica’s high polyphenol content, mostly composed of acids, quinines, stilbenes, and coumarins. Phenolic
tannin and flavonoid components, provides the majority of compounds have been investigated for their antimicrobial
its health advantages. This plant is known to help control properties as well as their nutritional value and potential
blood sugar levels and enhance glucose metabolism, in anti-diabetic effects. Some studies have suggested that
addition to possessing a variety of anti-inflammatory phenolics offer nutritional benefits and could aid in
and anti-cancer effects. In addition, it stimulates insulin managing diabetes. However, further research is required
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production in the pancreas and the growth of β-cells. to validate these findings, especially involving human
Diabetic participants who consumed a daily dose of 3 g of subjects, as there is limited information about the benefits
P. emblica powder demonstrated a significant reduction in of pure compounds or diets enriched with phenolics.
total lipids and LDL cholesterol levels, accompanied by an Cinnamic acid has been shown to enhance the activity
improvement in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In of several enzymes, including lipase and angiotensin-
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Wistar rats with T1DM, an improvement in hyperglycemia,
oxidative stress, and hyperlipidemia was observed when converting enzyme, and to reduce the risk of heart and
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they were given 1 ml of fruit juice per kg body weight orally arterial issues in rats fed high-fat diets.
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every day for 8 weeks. Furthermore, the cardiovascular Furthermore, cinnamic acid has been demonstrated
function of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats to reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels in rats on
was improved by strengthening the antioxidant defense a high-cholesterol diet by blocking the actions of acyl-
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systems in the cardiac tissues. Studies have shown that coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferases and β-hydroxy
when the aqueous fruit extract of this plant is administered β-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase. In addition, it has
intraperitoneally to diabetic rats induced with alloxan, been discovered to increase AMP-activated protein
blood glucose levels significantly decrease. In addition, kinase phosphorylation and adiponectin production,

Table 3. Medicinal plants with anti‑diabetic activity
Plant name Useful plant part(s) Main phytochemical Activity References
components
Annona squamosa L. Leaves and fruit Flavonoids; alkaloids Anti-diabetic 78,79
Cocos nucifera L. Coconut water and drupe Polyphenols; flavonoids; fatty Antiglycation 80
acids
Curcuma longa L. Rhizome Turmerones; curcuminoids Antioxidant and 81
anti-diabetic
Embelia ribes Burm. F. Berries Quinone derivatives; embelin Anti-diabetic 82
Mangifera indica L. Leaves and fruit Polyphenols; flavonoids; Anti-diabetic 83
mangiferin
Olea europaea L. Leaves Flavonoids; hydroxytyrosol Anti-hyperglycemic 84
Swertia chirayita (Roxb.) Whole plant Xanthones; amarogentin Anti-diabetic 85
Punica granatum L. Leaves and fruit Ellagic acid; anthocyanins Anti-diabetic 86
Phyllanthus niruri Aerial parts Flavonoids; phyllanthin Anti-diabetic 87
Memecylon umbellatum Burm. F. Leaves Ursolic acid; flavonoids, Anti-diabetic 88
betulinic acid

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2024) 8 doi: 10.36922/itps.1885