Title:Conventional and Non-Conventional Targets of Natural Products in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Complications
Volume: 28
Issue: 23
Author(s): Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally*, Devina Lobine, Marie Carene Nancy Picot-Allain, Nabeelah Sadeer, Sharmeen Jugreet and Gokhan Zengin*
Affiliation:
- Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam
- Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, Konya,Turkey
Keywords:
Diabetes, microbiome, lipase, cholinesterase, angiotensin converting enzyme, drug.
Abstract:
Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a severe endocrine metabolic disease
coupled with various long-term complications. A plethora of targets have been identified,
however, with possible adverse effects. Therefore, researchers are in the perpetual quest
for safe and more effective therapeutics. Natural products, particularly derived from
plants, have proven to exert anti-diabetic effects via diverse mechanisms.
Methods: An overview of DM pathogenesis and its associated micro- and macro-vascular
complications is presented. Possible underlying mechanisms of herbal remedies in DM management
are provided, highlighting some key therapeutic targets. The review also appraises the
recent progress of herbal products in treating DM through regulating inflammation and gut
microbiota. Finally, currently available pharmacological treatments are discussed.
Results: The results show that numerous plants have proven to be promising sources of
insulin secreting agents, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors. Among the non- conventional
targets, inhibition of key enzymes such as lipase, cholinesterases and angiotensin
converting enzyme has been directly and/or indirectly linked to DM and DM complications.
For instance, hypericin, pseudohypericin and I3,II8-biapigenin isolated from Hypericum
perforatum L., and palmatine and columbamine isolated from Dichocarpum auriculatum
(Franch.) W. T. Wang & P. K have been found to be powerful lipase and cholinesterase
inhibitors, respectively. Moreover, a number of plant-derived compounds such as
feruloylated oligosaccharides from maize bran, baicalein and berberine are reported to
mediate anti-diabetic property via modulation of gut microbiota.
Conclusion: The information amassed in this review is anticipated to provide useful scientific
baseline information to support advanced research in natural antidiabetic drug development.
