Flavonoids improve type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications: a review

Abstract

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing every year. Medications are currently the most common therapy for T2DM. However, these medications have certain adverse effects. In order to find safe and effective ways to improve this disease, researchers have discovered that some natural products can decrease blood sugar. Flavonoids are one of the most essential low molecular weight phenolic chemicals in the plant world, which widely exist in plant roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. They possess a variety of biological activities, including organ protection, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Some natural flavonoids ameliorate T2DM and its complications through anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory action, glucose and lipid metabolism regulation, insulin resistance management, etc. Hence, this review aims at demonstrating the potential benefits of flavonoids in T2DM and its complications. This laid the foundation for the development of novel hypoglycemic medications from flavonoids.

Gut Microbiota Combined with Serum Metabolomics to Investigate the Hypoglycemic Effect of Actinidia arguta Leaves

“…These isolated compounds were identified by comparison with the NMR results reported in the literature (see the Supplementary Materials), and their chemical structures are displayed in Figure S2. They are isoquercitrin (1) [35], quercetin (2) [36], kaempferol (3) [36], catechin (4) [37], hyperoside (5) [38], kaempferol-3-rutinoside (6) [39], rutin (7) [40], quercitrin (8) [41], astragalin (9) [42], quercetin-3-O-rutinoside-7-O-glucoside (10) [43] (13) [44], kaempferol-3-sambubioside ( 14) [46], isorhamnetin-3-O-nehesperidine (15) [47], isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside ( 16) [47], isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside (17) [47], 2 -O-galloylhyperin (18) [48], quercetin-4 -O-galactoside (19) [49], epigallocatechin (20) [52], ampelopsin (23) [53], isorhamnetin (24) [54], and taxifolin (25) [55].…”

“…Flavonoids are one of the most important phenolic chemicals in the plant kingdom. They have a range of biological activities, including hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects by reducing oxidation and inflammation, regulating glucose and Nutrients 2023, 15, 4115 2 of 22 lipid metabolism, and improving insulin resistance [6,7]. Therefore, exploring and discovering natural hypoglycemic and metabolic balance extracts rich in flavonoids with fewer side effects for preventing and treating diabetes is of great significance.…”

Morin-Based Nanoparticles for Regulation of Blood Glucose

“…Among these, natural flavonoids, such as anthocyanins, lignans, kaempferol, and puerarin, have emerged as viable dietary strategies for mitigating chronic metabolic anomalies, including prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. 4,5 Morin, a flavonoid sourced from diverse Asian fruits, vegetables, tea, and medicinal herbs, is identified as a yellow pigment in the Moraceae family of plants. It exhibits potent antiinflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive properties.…”

“…Recent scholarly focus has shifted toward natural dietary supplements, particularly given their minimal side effects, in managing chronic diseases. Among these, natural flavonoids, such as anthocyanins, lignans, kaempferol, and puerarin, have emerged as viable dietary strategies for mitigating chronic metabolic anomalies, including prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. , …”

Updated Progress on Polysaccharides with Anti-Diabetic Effects through the Regulation of Gut Microbiota: Sources, Mechanisms, and Structure–Activity Relationships

“…According to a prediction of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there may be up to 700 million people living with DM by 2045. Persistent hyperglycemia can cause chronic damage to and dysfunction of numerous organs and tissues, such as eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, and nerves [ 4 , 5 ]. For example, abnormal blood glucose metabolism is usually accompanied by blood lipid metabolism disorder [ 6 ].…”