Seaweeds are a promising therapeutic target in drug development and
nutraceuticals due to the presence of structurally different bioactive constituents in their
composition. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major metabolic disorder that causes
impaired insulin secretion, insulin action by the pancreas, or both. Despite the currently
available synthetic antidiabetic drugs and insulin injections, there is a necessity for an
effective natural approach to preventing or managing DM without long-term diabetes
complications by eradicating adverse risk factors. Therefore, exploring the anti-diabetic
properties of seaweeds has been revealed as an emerging and intact alternative target.
Because of the significant contribution of bioactive metabolites in antidiabetic
seaweed-based therapeutics, it is important to summarize the determinant factors,
including the rich abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals, dietary fibers,
polyphenolic compounds, and carotenoids. In addition, seaweed extracts and their
bioactive elements have anti-diabetic potential as they inhibit carbohydrate hydrolyzing
enzymes in vitro and reduce blood glucose levels in vivo in random and postprandial
blood glucose assays. Furthermore, they have been attributed to decreased weight gain
in mice and rats, presumably by reducing mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory
cytokines while raising mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Their
advantageous effect on serum and hepatic lipid profiles, as well as antioxidant
enzymes, suggests that seaweeds protect against free radical-mediated oxidative stressinduced hyperglycemia and related hyperlipidemia. Hence, seaweed-based therapeutic
efforts for DM have a considerable potential to be used as perspective drugs or dietary
supplements.
Keywords: Anti-diabetic properties, Bioactive compounds, Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Natural therapeutic products, Seaweeds.
