Medicinal Potential of Isoflavonoids: Polyphenols That May Cure Diabetes

Abstract

In recent years, there is emerging evidence that isoflavonoids, either dietary or obtained from traditional medicinal plants, could play an important role as a supplementary drug in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to their reported pronounced biological effects in relation to multiple metabolic factors associated with diabetes. Hence, in this regard, we have comprehensively reviewed the potential biological effects of isoflavonoids, particularly biochanin A, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, and formononetin on metabolic disorders and long-term complications induced by T2DM in order to understand whether they can be future candidates as a safe antidiabetic agent. Based on in-depth in vitro and in vivo studies evaluations, isoflavonoids have been found to activate gene expression through the stimulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) (α, γ), modulate carbohydrate metabolism, regulate hyperglycemia, induce dyslipidemia, lessen insulin resistance, and modify adipocyte differentiation and tissue metabolism. Moreover, these natural compounds have also been found to attenuate oxidative stress through the oxidative signaling process and inflammatory mechanism. Hence, isoflavonoids have been envisioned to be able to prevent and slow down the progression of long-term diabetes complications including cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Further thoroughgoing investigations in human clinical studies are strongly recommended to obtain the optimum and specific dose and regimen required for supplementation with isoflavonoids and derivatives in diabetic patients.

Pleiotropic Effects of Isoflavones in Inflammation and Chronic Degenerative Diseases

“…Isoflavones can alleviate many pathological conditions including cancer, metabolic, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and adverse menopause symptoms ( Figure 1 ). Recently, various aspects of isoflavones have been overviewed in detail in the following reviews [ 3 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Two mechanisms are implicated to be responsible for the beneficial effects of isoflavones—the estrogen receptor-mediated signaling pathway [ 2 , 7 , 8 ] and the modulation of other intracellular signaling pathways, e.g., phospholipase C, protein tyrosine kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase [ 3 , 7 , 14 , 15 ].…”

Chinmedomics Strategy for Elucidating the Pharmacological Effects and Discovering Bioactive Compounds From Keluoxin Against Diabetic Retinopathy

“…Biochanin A protects neurons by inhibiting microglia activation and neuronal apoptosis ( Sarfraz et al, 2020 ) and enhances PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and beclin-1 to protect nigral dopaminergic neurons ( El-Sherbeeny et al, 2020 ). It affects carbohydrate metabolism, β-cell function, insulin sensitivity, and IR in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications ( Ahmed et al, 2020 ). 10-Hydroxyl-oleuropein, the active glycoside, protects the red blood cell membranes from resisting hemolysis ( Ouyang et al, 2003 ).…”

Unveiling the Pharmacological and Nanotechnological Facets of Daidzein: Present State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives

“…Additionally, it increases the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in primary osteoblast cells, promoting the development of osteoblast, which ultimately exhibited anti-osteoporosis activity [ 54 ]. Moreover, DAI increases the ratio of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) to Na + /K + ATPase levels, which facilitate in glucose absorption and maintain the proper balance of reactive oxygen species to free radicals [ 55 , 56 ].…”