The Use of Natural Products in the Management of Diabetes: The Current Trends

Abstract

Natural products have played and continue to play a great role in the management of different diseases. Natural products are usually believed to be safer, cheaper, easily available and sometimes more efficacious than purely synthetic drugs. Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem in the world. There is no cure for diabetes. With the increase in a number of newer drugs for diabetes, there is the possibility of a wide range of side effects that vary from one drug to another. It is, therefore, essential to practice effective methods of the treatment and management of diabetes. Hence, the need to explore antidiabetic drugs of natural origin with minimal side effects is highly essential. This review provides a scientific perspective on the usage and research of natural traditional remedies in the management of diabetes. The aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive and concise overview of the previously reported clinical trials of antioxidative natural products in the management of diabetes.
 Keywords: Diabetes, Natural products, Hyperglycemia, Diabetic complications,

Counteractive role of Terminalia catappa leaf extract on hematological and coagulation disturbance in Type 2 diabetic rats

“…Terminalia catappa leaf aqueous crude extract contains active principles such as benzofuranone, flavonoids, and octadecanoic acid that decrease the production of thromboxane A2, slowing down PLT aggregation and thereby increasing BT and CT [ 24 , 25 ]. This finding is corroborated by similar studies that show medicinal plants improve hyperglycemia-altered coagulation signaling and thrombocyte indices in addition to BT/CT and PLT inverse relationship [ 23 , 25 , 26 ]. Nonetheless, a contrary finding reported no association between PLT and FBG [ 8 , 27 ].…”

Pharmacologically Active Phytomolecules Isolated from Traditional Antidiabetic Plants and Their Therapeutic Role for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

“…Several phytomedicines have been marketed worldwide for the control and management of diabetes. These include Antibetic, Diabetics, Diabetica, Diabet, Diasol, Diabecon, Diasulin, Dia-Care, Diabecure, Diabeta, Diabeta Plus, Dianex, Diashis, GlucoCare, GlycoNase, Glyoherb, Karmin Plus, SugarMax, and Sugar Loss [35,372]. These products comprise a combination of individual constituents from several antidiabetic plants.…”

“…These products comprise a combination of individual constituents from several antidiabetic plants. Many of these preparations are sold with directions about diet, rest, and physical activities to enhance their effectiveness [35,372].…”