A Comprehensive Review of Medicinal Plants with Antidiabetic Potential

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases and its incidence and prevalence have been increasing in recent years. Moreover, many comorbidities can be observed in addition to diabetes. For this reason, medicinal plants have been an important complementary treatment option for individuals with diabetes from past to present. However, as in every disease, the correct use of medicinal plants in diabetes is important. Failure to do so may worsen the course of the disease, cause side/adverse effects and lead to herb-drug interactions. This review aimed to identify antidiabetic medicinal plants comprehensively and to describe the most commonly used ones in detail. When the studies in the literature were evaluated, it was determined that many medicinal plants with antidiabetic effects have been used from past to present, but the potential mechanism of activity, positive/negative effects, dosages, and plant-drug interactions of many of them have not been fully revealed. Further research is needed, as the incorrect and unknowing use of these medicinal plants can worsen the course of the disease.

Keywords

• Diabetes
• Antidiabetics
• Medicinal plants

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