ABSTRACT
Recently, significant advances in modern medicine and therapeutic agents have been achieved. However, the search for effective antidiabetic drugs is continuous and challenging. Over the past decades, there has been an increasing body of literature related to the effects of secondary metabolites from botanical sources on diabetes. Plants-derived metabolites including alkaloids, phenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids, stilbenoids, saponins, tannins, polysaccharides, coumarins, and terpenes can target cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, they can grant protection to pancreatic beta cells from damage, repairing abnormal insulin signaling, minimizing oxidative stress and inflammation, activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and inhibiting carbohydrate digestion and absorption. Studies have highlighted many bioactive naturally occurring plants' secondary metabolites as candidates against diabetes. This review summarizes the current knowledge compiled from the latest studies published during the past decade on the mechanism-based action of plants-derived secondary metabolites that can target various metabolic pathways in humans against diabetes. It is worth mentioning that the compiled data in this review will provide a guide for researchers in the field, to develop candidates into environment-friendly effective, yet safe antidiabetics.
Subject(s)
Blood Glucose/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy , Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use , Phytochemicals/therapeutic use , Animals , Blood Glucose/analysis , Diabetes Mellitus/blood , Diabetes Mellitus/metabolism , Humans , Hypoglycemic Agents/chemistry , Hypoglycemic Agents/metabolism , Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology , Insulin/metabolism , Phytochemicals/chemistry , Phytochemicals/metabolism , Phytochemicals/pharmacology , Plants/chemistry , Plants/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The relationship between obesity and various chronic diseases is well documented. In Jordan, the prevalence of overweight (30.0%) and obesity (38.8%) among females is on the rise, encouraging many adults to rely on alternative health care methods to manage their weight. AIMS: We explored the status of complementary and alternative medicine use for weight management among adult females in Jordan and the possible relationship between complementary and alternative medicine use and body mass index. METHODS: An interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the use and safety of complementary and alternative medicine for weight management from 858 women in 2015. Responses were coded and analysed using SPSS, version 20. RESULTS: Around 40% of the respondents reported using some form of complementary and alternative medicine for weight management. Commercial dietary supplements (31.2%), herbal remedies (26.7%) and folk remedies (18.0%) were commonly used. Green tea and fibre tablets were the most widely used herbal supplements. Logistic regression analysis indicated that overweight participants are more frequent complementary and alternative medicine users compared to obese. Relatives and friends were the main sources of information about complementary and alternative medicine. Only 31.9% of women believed that complementary and alternative medicine modalities were safe; around half believed they were not safe during pregnancy (52.5%) and lactation (48.0%). Only 49.7% were aware of side-effects and 41.5% of drug interactions. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that complementary and alternative medicine is often used for weight management. Awareness of the safe use of complementary and alternative medicine with other medications and during pregnancy and lactation should be addressed.
