The anti-diabetic potential of polysaccharides extracted from members of the cucurbit family: A review

Abstract

Diabetes is a growing global problem and a heavy financial burden on health care services. It is estimated that over 380 million people suffer from this condition which causes many deaths each year in addition to being associated with increased risk of other health problems.Traditional medicine is a promising area of research in diabetes therapy as it is widely accessible and it is believed that over 200 plants have anti-diabetic properties including members of the cucurbit family. Studies in animal and human models have shown that treatment with some cucurbits has hypoglycaemic effects and stimulates beta cell regeneration in addition to other anti-diabetic effects which are equal to that of commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drugs. It has also been shown that at least one of the bioactive components which stimulate these effects is a polysaccharide.

Anti-diabetic effects of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre from deoiled cumin in low-dose streptozotocin and high glucose-fat diet-induced type 2 diabetic rats

“…An estimated 380 million or more individuals suffer from diabetes worldwide, leading to more than 2.9 million deaths each year, which are projected to rise over the next 30 years (Yadav, Morris, Harding, Ang, & Adams, 2009). Diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, is strongly associated with hyperglycaemia, heart problems, kidney disease, impaired vision, limb loss, and general poor health (Galisteo, Duarte, & Zarzuelo, 2008;Simpson & Morris, 2014). A number of drugs currently prescribed for type 2 diabetes cause undesirable side-effects.…”

Study of Cucurbita extract effect on changes of AGEs, lipid and glycemic profile and CRP in type 1 diabetic rats

“…Cucurbits are interesting because they have been exhibited extensive range of medicinal properties. It is believed that over 200 plants lower blood glucose level, including many common plants such as those belonging to the cucurbitaceae family 3 . This family classified as cucurbita pepo, cucurbita moschata, cucurbita maxima, and cucurbita mixta according to the texture and shape of their stems it contains chemicals , including proteins, fibers, tetra cyclicterpens, saponins, polysaccharides and minerals…”

An experimental design approach to the chemical characterisation of pectin polysaccharides extracted from Cucumis melo Inodorus

“…Extracted pectins have been utilised in applications in both the food and pharmaceutical industries where they are generally used as gelling agents, thickeners and stabilisers, although a number of pectins have been shown to be bioactive (Inngjerdingen, et. al., 2007;Inngjerdingen, et al, 2008;Grønhaug, et al, 2010;Adams, et al, 2011;Simpson and Morris, 2014).…”