Spice-Derived Bioactive Ingredients: Potential Agents or Food Adjuvant in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Spices possess tremendous therapeutic potential including hypoglycemic action, attributed to their bioactive ingredients. However, there is no study that critically reviewed the hypoglycemic potency, safety and the bioavailability of the spice-derived bioactive ingredients (SDBI). Therefore, the aim of the study was to comprehensively review all published studies regarding the hypoglycemic action of SDBI with the purpose to assess whether the ingredients are potential hypoglycemic agents or adjuvant. Factors considered were concentration/dosages used, the extent of blood glucose reduction, the IC50 values, and the safety concern of the SDBI. From the results, cinnamaldehyde, curcumin, diosgenin, thymoquinone (TQ), and trigonelline were showed the most promising effects and hold future potential as hypoglycemic agents. Conclusively, future studies should focus on improving the tissue and cellular bioavailability of the promising SDBI to achieve greater potency. Additionally, clinical trials and toxicity studies are with these SDBI are warranted.

<p>GLP-1 mediates the modulating effect of thymoquinone on feeding behaviors in diabetic rats</p>

“…TQ is the active principal ingredient in black cumin and has been recommended as a food adjunct for the management of diabetes 8. The present study found that TQ ameliorated feeding disorders in diabetic rats through endogenous GLP-1 activity.…”

“…Additionally, TQ did not cause adverse effects on renal or hepatic function in diabetic patients 7. Therefore, TQ has been recommended as a food adjunct for diabetes 8. Interestingly, food intake was also reduced in diabetic animals following TQ administration 9.…”

Curcumin and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Prevention and Treatment

“…Mohammed et al recently reviewed published studies focused on the hypoglycaemic action of the spice-derived bioactive ingredients. Despite many of the analysed ingredients showing weak hypoglycaemic effects, curcumin has demonstrated promising hypoglycaemic potential even if further scientific studies are needed to outline safe therapeutic protocols as hypoglycaemic adjuvant [76].…”

Effect of turmeric on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in albino rats

“…Thus, reduction in oxidative stress is a plausible mechanism for the hypoglycaemic effect of curcumin. 9 Maithili Karpaga Selvi et al, stated that Curcumin is a potent scavenger of a variety of reactive oxygen species including superoxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and nitrogen dioxide radicals and these protective effects are attributed to its antioxidant property. Studies have also shown that curcumin exhibits strong antioxidant activity and plays a vital role against oxidative stress-mediated diseases like diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, etc.…”