An Updated Review on Possible Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Molecular Action Mechanisms of Medicinal Plants
Abstract
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its related diseases has been increasing. It is common to use natural resources to support medical treatments for endocrine diseases. The aim of this study was to discuss the possible molecular mechanisms of action of medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites, which have been proven to be effective in diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia by clinical studies. Literature searches were conducted using international databases (Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science), academic search engines (Google Scholar), and the Cochrane Library. Studies published between 2015 and 2023 are included in the manuscript. The most prominent herbs for diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, ginseng, walnut, flaxseed, bitter melon, black cumin, pomegranate, fenugreek, and ginger. These plants were effective in endocrine system diseases by modulating different signaling pathways (AMPK, ERK, JNK, and NF-κB, etc.) and by their biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. The proposed mechanisms of action should be supported by clinical studies. The number of preclinical and clinical studies on secondary metabolites responsible for the endocrine activity of medicinal plants and their possible mechanisms of action should be increased.
Project Number
None.
References
- Zhu, L., Sha, L., Li, K., Wang, Z., Wang, T., Li, Y.,… Wang, H. (2020). Dietary flaxseed oil rich in omega- 3 suppresses severity of type 2 diabetes mellitus via anti-inflammation and modulating gut microbiota in rats. Lipids in Health and Disease, 19, 20. doi: 10.1186/s12944-019-1167-4.
An Updated Review on Possible Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Molecular Action Mechanisms of Medicinal Plants
Abstract
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its related diseases has been increasing. It is common to use natural resources to support medical treatments for endocrine diseases. The aim of this study was to discuss the possible molecular mechanisms of action of medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites, which have been proven to be effective in diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia by clinical studies. Literature searches were conducted using international databases (Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science), academic search engines (Google Scholar), and the Cochrane Library. Studies published between 2015 and 2023 are included in the manuscript. The most prominent herbs for diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, ginseng, walnut, flaxseed, bitter melon, black cumin, pomegranate, fenugreek, and ginger. These plants were effective in endocrine system diseases by modulating different signaling pathways (AMPK, ERK, JNK, and NF-κB, etc.) and by their biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. The proposed mechanisms of action should be supported by clinical studies. The number of preclinical and clinical studies on secondary metabolites responsible for the endocrine activity of medicinal plants and their possible mechanisms of action should be increased.
Ethical Statement
None.
Supporting Institution
None.
Project Number
None.
Thanks
None.
References
- Zhu, L., Sha, L., Li, K., Wang, Z., Wang, T., Li, Y.,… Wang, H. (2020). Dietary flaxseed oil rich in omega- 3 suppresses severity of type 2 diabetes mellitus via anti-inflammation and modulating gut microbiota in rats. Lipids in Health and Disease, 19, 20. doi: 10.1186/s12944-019-1167-4.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical Botany |
| Journal Section | Collection |
| Authors | |
| Project Number | None. |
| Publication Date | October 30, 2025 |
| Submission Date | February 12, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | August 12, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 50 Issue: 3 |
