Co esponding au ho : Sadia Islam
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Phy ochemicals om an i-diabe ic medicinal plan s: A comp ehensi e e iew o
glycemic con ol mechanisms
Md. Abu Sayem 1, Ha izul Islam 2, Ripon Chand a Shil 3, Md. Khaja Mohi Uddin 4, Amzad Hossen 5, Rashedu
Rahman 6, Md. Mahmudul Hasan 7, Tanzila Ak e 8, A in Sul ana 9 and Sadia Islam 10, *
1 Depa men o Haema ology, Chi agong Medical College Hospi al, Chi agong, Bangladesh.
2 Depa men o T ans usion Se ices, The Ohio S a e Uni e si y- Wexne Medical Cen e , USA.
3 Depa men o Mic obiology, Na ional Ins i u e o Neu osciences & Hospi al, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
4 Depa men o Labo a o y Medicine, Dhaka Medical College Hospi al, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
5 Depa men o Hema ology & Clinical Pa hology, Na ional Ins i u e o Bu n and Plas ic Su ge y, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
6 Depa men o Labo a o y Medicine, Cen al Police Hospi al, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
7 Depa men o Pa hology & Biochemis y, Mugda Medical College Hospi al, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
8 Depa men o Vi ology, Na ional Ins i u e o Labo a o y Medicine & Re e al Cen e , Dhaka, Bangladesh.
9 Depa men o Labo a o y Medicine, Na ional Ins i u e o Labo a o y Medicine and Re e al Cen e , Dhaka, Bangladesh.
10 Depa men o Labo a o y Medicine, Bangladesh Specialized Hospi al PLC, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Wo ld Jou nal o Ad anced Resea ch and Re iews, 2025, 26(01), 3576-3590
Publica ion his o y: Recei ed on 15 Ma ch 2025; e ised on 23 Ap il 2025; accep ed on 25 Ap il 2025
A icle DOI: h ps://doi.o g/10.30574/wja .2025.26.1.1444
Abs ac
Diabe es melli us, a g owing global heal h conce n, is ypically managed h ough pha maceu ical in e en ions;
howe e , plan -based he apies ha e eme ged as a p omising adjunc o con en ional ea men s. This pape examines
he he apeu ic po en ial o an i-diabe ic plan s, ocusing on hei mechanisms o ac ion, including egula ion o blood
glucose, enhancemen o insulin sensi i i y, and he mi iga ion o diabe es- ela ed complica ions such as oxida i e s ess
and in lamma ion. P ominen plan s, such as Momo dica cha an ia (bi e melon), T igonella oenum-g aecum
( enug eek), and Be be is a is a a (be be ine), con ain bioac i e compounds ha con ibu e o hei an i-diabe ic e ec s
h ough di e se pa hways, including insulin mime ic ac ions, AMPK ac i a ion, and β-cell egene a ion. Addi ionally,
many o hese plan s o e an ioxidan and an i-in lamma o y p ope ies, p o iding a holis ic app oach o managing he
disease and p e en ing long- e m complica ions. Despi e he p omising indings om in i o, in i o, and clinical
s udies, he in eg a ion o plan -based he apies in o mains eam diabe es ca e aces se e al challenges, including he
lack o la ge-scale clinical ials, a iabili y in s anda diza ion, conce ns ega ding bioa ailabili y, and he po en ial o
he b-d ug in e ac ions. This e iew unde sco es he need o mo e igo ous clinical ials o es ablish he e icacy,
sa e y, and op imal dosing o hese he apies. When s anda dized and in eg a ed wi h con en ional medical p ac ices,
plan -based he apies ha e he po en ial o be a o dable, accessible, and e ec i e adjunc s in diabe es managemen ,
pa icula ly in low- esou ce se ings whe e access o con en ional medica ions may be limi ed. Fu he mo e, he
syne gis ic combina ion o mode n pha macological ea men s and plan -based he apies could o e a mo e
pe sonalized, comp ehensi e, and sus ainable app oach o diabe es ca e, imp o ing pa ien ou comes wo ldwide.
Fu u e esea ch should also ocus on inno a i e d ug deli e y sys ems, such as nano echnology, o enhance he
bioa ailabili y and e icacy o hese plan -de i ed compounds, ensu ing hei sa e and e ec i e use in diabe es
managemen .
Keywo ds: An i-diabe ic medicinal plan s; Insulin sensi i i y; Phy o he apy; He b-d ug in e ac ions; Glycemic con ol
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1. In oduc ion
Diabe es melli us (DM) is a ch onic, p og essi e, and complex me abolic diso de cha ac e ized by sus ained
hype glycemia due o ei he impai ed insulin sec e ion, educed insulin sensi i i y, o a combina ion o bo h. The
condi ion is p ima ily classi ied in o wo majo ypes: Type 1 diabe es (T1D) and Type 2 diabe es (T2D). T1D is an
au oimmune diso de whe e he body’s immune sys em des oys he insulin-p oducing β-cells in he panc eas, leading
o an absolu e insulin de iciency. This ype ypically mani es s du ing childhood o adolescence bu can occu a any age.
In con as , T2D is a mul i ac o ial me abolic condi ion ma ked by insulin esis ance and a p og essi e decline in insulin
p oduc ion. I is esponsible o o e 90% o diabe es cases globally and is closely associa ed wi h modi iable isk ac o s
such as obesi y, poo die a y pa e ns, physical inac i i y, and smoking, as well as non-modi iable ac o s including age,
gene ic p edisposi ion, and e hnici y1,2.
The global bu den o diabe es has inc eased d ama ically in ecen decades, making i a c i ical public heal h conce n.
Acco ding o he In e na ional Diabe es Fede a ion (IDF), app oxima ely 537 million adul s (aged 20–79 yea s) we e
diagnosed wi h diabe es in 2021. This igu e is p ojec ed o each 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045, wi h
he s eepes ises occu ing in low- and middle-income coun ies (LMICs)3. These egions a e unde going apid
u baniza ion and li es yle ansi ions, ye o en lack adequa e heal hca e in as uc u e o e ec i ely manage ch onic
diseases. Beyond i s ising p e alence, diabe es is a majo con ibu o o a ange o li e- h ea ening complica ions,
including ca dio ascula disease, kidney ailu e, e inopa hy, neu opa hy, and lowe -limb ampu a ions, all o which
con ibu e signi ican ly o inc eased mo ali y, disabili y, and heal hca e cos s4.
To mi iga e he isks and complica ions associa ed wi h diabe es, cu en managemen s a egies p ima ily aim o
main ain op imal blood glucose le els, p e en long- e m complica ions, and enhance o e all quali y o li e. These
s a egies encompass a combina ion o li es yle modi ica ions and pha macological in e en ions. Li es yle changes,
such as die a y adjus men s, egula exe cise, and weigh managemen , o m he co ne s one o diabe es managemen .
These modi ica ions help o imp o e insulin sensi i i y, educe excess body weigh , and ul ima ely lowe he isk o
associa ed complica ions. Howe e , li es yle changes alone may no be su icien o e ec i e long- e m con ol, which
is why pha macological ea men s a e also a c ucial pa o diabe es managemen 5. Common pha macological
in e en ions include me o min (a biguanide), which is widely used due o i s abili y o imp o e insulin sensi i i y and
dec ease hepa ic glucose p oduc ion, he eby lowe ing blood suga le els. Sul onylu eas s imula e he panc eas o
elease mo e insulin, bu hey come wi h isks such as hypoglycemia and weigh gain. Newe classes o medica ions,
such as DPP-4 inhibi o s, SGLT2 inhibi o s, and GLP-1 ecep o agonis s, o e addi ional bene i s like ca dio ascula
p o ec ion, weigh loss, and be e pos p andial glucose egula ion6.
Howe e , despi e hei widesp ead use and e icacy, hese con en ional ea men s a e no wi hou limi a ions. Many
o he syn he ic medica ions used in diabe es managemen ha e associa ed side e ec s, which can include
gas oin es inal discom o , hypoglycemia, and weigh gain, complica ing long- e m managemen . Addi ionally, he
e icacy o hese ea men s can decline o e ime due o he p og essi e na u e o β-cell dys unc ion, pa icula ly in
pa ien s wi h T2D7. As he disease ad ances, pa ien s may equi e highe doses o combina ion he apies, ye he
e ec i eness o hese d ugs may diminish as panc ea ic unc ion con inues o de e io a e. Ano he signi ican issue is
he inancial bu den ha hese medica ions impose, especially o low- and middle-income popula ions, whe e he high
cos o li elong medica ion use can limi accessibili y o necessa y ea men . Fu he mo e, mos con en ional d ugs
ocus p ima ily on glycemic con ol, wi hou add essing he oxida i e s ess, ch onic in lamma ion, and me abolic
imbalances ha play a c i ical ole in he pa hophysiology o diabe es8.
Gi en hese challenges, he e has been g owing in e es in plan -based he apies as po en ial adjunc s o e en
al e na i es o syn he ic medica ions. This in e es is based on he longs anding use o medicinal plan s in adi ional
heal hca e sys ems, such as Ayu eda, T adi ional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Unani, and A ican e hnomedicine. Fo
cen u ies, hese adi ional sys ems ha e elied on he bal emedies o manage hype glycemia, imp o e diges ion, and
suppo o e all me abolic heal h. Mode n scien i ic esea ch has inc easingly alida ed many o hese plan -based
he apies, wi h nume ous s udies iden i ying bioac i e phy ochemicals ha possess signi ican an i-diabe ic p ope ies.
These plan s a e gaining scien i ic ecogni ion o hei abili y o egula e blood suga and o e complemen a y
he apeu ic e ec s o diabe es managemen 9.
Resea ch has shown ha plan s wi h an i-diabe ic ac i i y o en con ain a a ie y o bioac i e compounds such as
la onoids, alkaloids, e penoids, saponins, and phenolic acids. These compounds exhibi mul iple pha macological
ac ions ha wo k syne gis ically o add ess a ious aspec s o diabe es. Some phy ochemicals s imula e insulin
sec e ion om he panc ea ic β-cells, while o he s enhance insulin sensi i i y in issues such as he li e , muscles, and
adipose issue, all o which help in be e glucose u iliza ion10. Ce ain phy ochemicals also ac by inhibi ing
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ca bohyd a e-diges ing enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which can slow he abso p ion o glucose, he eby
lowe ing pos p andial blood suga le els. Mo eo e , some bioac i e compounds p omo e glucose up ake in pe iphe al
issues and acili a e glycogen s o age, bo h o which help in managing blood glucose le els11. Addi ionally, many o
hese compounds possess an ioxidan and an i-in lamma o y p ope ies, educing he oxida i e s ess and
in lamma ion ha con ibu e o he de elopmen and p og ession o diabe es12.
Wha se s plan -based he apies apa is hei abili y o o e mul i- a ge ed ac ions. Unlike con en ional d ugs ha may
a ge a single pa hway o mechanism, many phy ochemicals om medicinal plan s can add ess mul iple ace s o
diabe es a once—such as imp o ing insulin unc ion, educing oxida i e s ess, and mi iga ing in lamma ion13. This
makes hem po en ially mo e e ec i e in p o iding a holis ic app oach o diabe es managemen . Addi ionally, plan -
based ea men s a e gene ally associa ed wi h ewe side e ec s and lowe oxici y compa ed o syn he ic d ugs. This
no only makes hem sa e bu also mo e accessible and a o dable, especially in a eas whe e mode n pha maceu icals
may be cos -p ohibi i e. These quali ies make plan -based he apies an appealing op ion, pa icula ly in low- esou ce
se ings whe e hey can be mo e easily sou ced and implemen ed in he managemen o diabe es14.
This pape aims o e iew he phy ochemicals om an i-diabe ic medicinal plan s and hei mechanisms in glycemic
con ol, highligh ing hei he apeu ic po en ial as complemen a y o al e na i e ea men s o diabe es. I compa es
plan -based emedies o con en ional he apies and explo es u u e di ec ions o hei in eg a ion in o diabe es
managemen .
2. Mechanisms o an i-diabe ic ac ion in medicinal plan s
Medicinal plan s ha e long been u ilized in adi ional medicine o he managemen o diabe es, and ecen scien i ic
s udies ha e subs an ia ed hei an i-diabe ic p ope ies. These plan s exe hei he apeu ic e ec s h ough a ious
pha macological mechanisms ha in luence glucose me abolism, insulin sec e ion and sensi i i y, oxida i e s ess,
in lamma ion, and gu mic obio a. The ollowing mechanisms highligh he di e se oles medicinal plan s play in
con olling blood glucose le els and imp o ing o e all me abolic heal h.
2.1. S imula ing Insulin Sec e ion
One o he well-known mechanisms o ac ion in an i-diabe ic medicinal plan s is he s imula ion o insulin sec e ion
om panc ea ic β-cells. Gymnema syl es e, commonly e e ed o as he "suga des oye ," has been ex ensi ely s udied
o i s abili y o enhance insulin sec e ion. Ac i e compounds in Gymnema syl es e, pa icula ly gymnemic acids,
p omo e insulin elease om β-cells in he panc eas and assis in he egene a ion o damaged β-cells15. This is
pa icula ly bene icial in Type 2 diabe es, whe e insulin sec e ion is o en educed as a esul o β-cell dys unc ion. In
addi ion o s imula ing insulin sec e ion, Gymnema syl es e helps lowe blood glucose le els by inhibi ing he
abso p ion o glucose om he in es ines, hus con ibu ing o be e o e all glycemic con ol16.
Ano he plan ha has shown simila e ec s is Allium sa i um (ga lic), which has been demons a ed o p omo e insulin
sec e ion and enhance he sensi i i y o insulin ecep o s. This dual e ec makes i a p omising candida e o diabe es
managemen , pa icula ly in cases o insulin esis ance and β-cell dys unc ion17.
2.2. Enhancing Insulin Sensi i i y
Cinnamomum e um (cinnamon) is a popula spice ha has been shown o imp o e insulin sensi i i y. Cinnamon
con ains bioac i e compounds such as cinnamaldehyde, p oan hocyanidins, and la onoids, which ha e been
demons a ed o ac i a e insulin ecep o s and enhance insulin ecep o signaling in pe iphe al issues. This imp o es
glucose up ake by muscle and a cells, which helps educe insulin esis ance—a majo pa hophysiological ea u e o
Type 2 diabe es. Resea ch has sugges ed ha cinnamon’s ac ion in ol es he phospho yla ion o key p o eins in he
insulin signaling pa hway, which aids in enhancing he ac ion o insulin a he cellula le el. Fu he mo e, cinnamon
helps o egula e he hepa ic glucose p oduc ion, hus educing blood glucose le els in he pos p andial s a e18.
Addi ionally, Be be ine, an alkaloid ound in se e al medicinal plan s like Be be is ulga is, has gained a en ion o i s
abili y o imp o e insulin sensi i i y. Be be ine ac i a es AMP-ac i a ed p o ein kinase (AMPK), a key egula o o
cellula ene gy balance, which plays a c i ical ole in inc easing glucose up ake in skele al muscle and enhancing insulin
sensi i i y19.
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2.3. Inhibi ing α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase
Se e al medicinal plan s exe an i-diabe ic e ec s by inhibi ing he diges i e enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase,
which a e esponsible o b eaking down ca bohyd a es in o simple suga s in he gas oin es inal ac . Fo example,
Salacia e icula a, a adi ional he b used in Ayu edic medicine, has been ound o inhibi bo h α-amylase and α-
glucosidase enzymes, he eby delaying ca bohyd a e diges ion and educing pos p andial blood suga spikes20. This
mechanism is bene icial o Type 2 diabe es pa ien s, as i helps egula e he abso p ion o glucose om he gu , leading
o mo e s able blood glucose le els a e meals.
O he plan s, such as Phaseolus ulga is (whi e kidney bean), ha e shown simila e ec s. Whi e kidney beans con ain
an inhibi o called phaseolamin, which ac s o block α-amylase ac i i y, educing ca bohyd a e diges ion and he
esul an glucose spike21.
2.4. Modula ing Glucose Up ake
Momo dica cha an ia (bi e melon) is widely ecognized o i s ole in enhancing glucose up ake by pe iphe al issues.
The ac i e compounds in bi e melon, such as cha an in, polypep ides, and insulin-like p o eins, mimic he e ec s o
insulin by acili a ing he up ake o glucose in o cells, pa icula ly muscle and adipose issue. This is pa icula ly use ul
o con olling ele a ed blood glucose le els in diabe ic indi iduals, as i p omo es he con e sion o glucose o glycogen
and enhances glucose me abolism22.
Bi e melon also imp o es glucose ole ance by egula ing enzymes in ol ed in glucose me abolism, such as
glucokinase and py u a e kinase, which helps imp o e glycogen s o age in he li e and educes blood glucose
concen a ions. In addi ion o bi e melon, o he plan s like T igonella oenum-g aecum ( enug eek) ha e been shown
o enhance glucose up ake and imp o e insulin sensi i i y, u he suppo ing hei ole in diabe es managemen 23.
2.5. An ioxidan and An i-In lamma o y E ec s
Ch onic oxida i e s ess and in lamma ion play pi o al oles in he pa hogenesis o diabe es and i s complica ions,
including insulin esis ance and β-cell dys unc ion. Se e al medicinal plan s a e ich in an ioxidan and an i-
in lamma o y compounds, which con ibu e o hei an i-diabe ic e ec s24.
Ocimum sanc um (holy basil)25 and Cu cuma longa ( u me ic)26 a e well-documen ed o hei po en an ioxidan and
an i-in lamma o y ac i i ies. Holy basil con ains eugenol, which exe s an ioxidan e ec s and educes in lamma ion by
modula ing key signaling pa hways, including nuclea ac o -kappa B (NF-kB). Simila ly, cu cumin, he ac i e compound
in u me ic, is a powe ul an ioxidan ha educes oxida i e s ess and modula es in lamma o y cy okines. Cu cumin’s
abili y o in luence he NF-kB pa hway, which egula es immune esponses, plays a c i ical ole in educing sys emic
in lamma ion associa ed wi h diabe es and i s complica ions.
Bo h plan s help mi iga e oxida i e damage, p o ec β-cells om apop osis (cell dea h), and imp o e insulin sensi i i y,
hus con ibu ing o be e glycemic con ol. Addi ionally, hey help p e en complica ions such as diabe ic neu opa hy
and ca dio ascula disease, which a e exace ba ed by ch onic in lamma ion and oxida i e s ess.
2.6. Modula ion o Gu Mic obio a (Eme ging Topic)
The human gu mic obio a is inc easingly ecognized as a c ucial ac o in he egula ion o glucose me abolism and
insulin sensi i i y. The gu mic obiome in luences me abolic p ocesses h ough he p oduc ion o sho -chain a y acids
(SCFAs), egula ion o in lamma ion, and in e ac ion wi h a ious endoc ine pa hways27.
Eme ging esea ch sugges s ha medicinal plan s can modula e he gu mic obio a, in luencing he balance o bene icial
and ha m ul bac e ia in he in es ines. Fo example, Ginseng and Be be ine ha e been shown o al e he gu mic obiome
in ways ha enhance insulin sensi i i y and glucose me abolism. Be be ine, in pa icula , p omo es he g ow h o
bene icial bac e ia and supp esses he g ow h o pa hogenic mic oo ganisms. This esul s in a educ ion in gu -de i ed
endo oxins ha con ibu e o sys emic in lamma ion and insulin esis ance.
Changes in gu mic obio a can lead o inc eased SCFA p oduc ion, which has been linked o imp o ed insulin sensi i i y
and glucose ole ance. SCFAs, pa icula ly bu y a e, play an impo an ole in main aining he in eg i y o he gu ba ie ,
educing in lamma ion, and enhancing me abolic unc ions. These indings highligh he po en ial o a ge ing he gu
mic obiome as an inno a i e app oach o diabe es managemen , and plan -based he apies may o e a p omising
solu ion in his a ea27.
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Table 1 Mechanisms o An i-Diabe ic Ac ion in Medicinal Plan s
Mechanism
Medicinal Plan s In ol ed
Key Ac ions and E ec s
S imula ing Insulin
Sec e ion
Gymnema syl es e, Allium
sa i um (Ga lic)
- P omo es insulin elease om β-cells in he panc eas.
- Regene a es damaged β-cells.
- Enhances insulin sec e ion.
Enhancing Insulin
Sensi i i y
Cinnamomum e um (Cinnamon),
Be be ine (Be be is ulga is)
- Ac i a es insulin ecep o s and enhances ecep o signaling.
- Reduces insulin esis ance and imp o es glucose up ake.
Inhibi ing α-
Glucosidase & α-
Amylase
Salacia e icula a, Phaseolus
ulga is (Whi e Kidney Bean)
- Inhibi s α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes.
- Slows ca bohyd a e diges ion and abso p ion.
- P e en s pos p andial hype glycemia.
Modula ing
Glucose Up ake
Momo dica cha an ia (Bi e
Melon), T igonella oenum-
g aecum (Fenug eek)
- Mimics insulin by acili a ing glucose up ake in o muscle and
adipose issue.
- Enhances glucose con e sion o glycogen.
An ioxidan & An i-
In lamma o y
E ec s
Ocimum sanc um (Holy Basil),
Cu cuma longa (Tu me ic)
- Reduces oxida i e s ess and in lamma ion.
- P o ec s β-cells om damage.
- Imp o es insulin sensi i i y.
Modula ion o Gu
Mic obio a
Ginseng, Be be ine
- Al e s gu mic obiome o enhance insulin sensi i i y.
- Inc eases p oduc ion o bene icial SCFAs.
- Reduces in lamma ion and insulin esis ance.
3. An i-Diabe ic Medicinal Plan s and Thei Phy ochemicals
This sec ion p o ides a comp ehensi e e iew o se e al key medicinal plan s known o hei an i-diabe ic p ope ies,
emphasizing hei ac i e phy ochemicals, mechanisms o ac ion, and suppo ing scien i ic e idence. These plan s a e
widely ecognized o hei he apeu ic po en ial in managing diabe es melli us, pa icula ly in imp o ing glycemic
con ol and p omo ing o e all me abolic heal h. While some o hese plan s a e well-es ablished in adi ional medicine,
o he s o e p omising new a enues o diabe es managemen based on eme ging esea ch.
3.1. Momo dica cha an ia (Bi e Melon)
Bi e melon, o Momo dica cha an ia, has long been used in adi ional medicine ac oss Asia, A ica, and he Ca ibbean.
The plan con ains bioac i e compounds such as cha an in, polypep ide-p, icine, and alkaloids, which a e esponsible
o i s an i-diabe ic p ope ies. The key mechanism by which bi e melon exe s i s e ec is by mimicking insulin, which
helps in p omo ing glucose up ake in pe iphe al issues, he eby lowe ing blood suga . Addi ionally, bi e melon
acili a es he con e sion o glucose in o glycogen, con ibu ing o imp o ed blood glucose egula ion. S udies show ha
bi e melon exhibi s insulin-like ac i i y h ough i s polypep ides and cha an in, making i a use ul adjunc in managing
diabe es. Resea ch conduc ed in i o has demons a ed he insulin-mime ic p ope ies o bi e melon, while in i o
animal s udies ha e shown ha i e ec i ely educes blood glucose le els. Clinical ials ha e also suppo ed i s use,
showing imp o ed insulin sensi i i y and educed blood suga in diabe ic pa ien s27.
3.2. T igonella oenum-g aecum (Fenug eek)
Fenug eek (T igonella oenum-g aecum) is a widely used he b in adi ional medicine, pa icula ly in India and he
Middle Eas . The plan is ich in compounds like 4-hyd oxyisoleucine, saponins, and la onoids, which con ibu e o i s
an i-diabe ic e ec s. Fenug eek wo ks p ima ily by s imula ing insulin sec e ion and enhancing insulin sensi i i y,
which a e c i ical p ocesses in he managemen o diabe es. I also aids in glucose me abolism and enhances glycogen
syn hesis. The saponins ound in enug eek play a signi ican ole in imp o ing glucose abso p ion and ac i a ing insulin
ecep o s, making i easie o cells o ake up glucose. In i o s udies ha e shown ha enug eek enhances insulin
sec e ion and glucose up ake, while in i o esea ch demons a es i s abili y o educe blood glucose and imp o e
glycemic con ol in animal models. Clinical s udies sugges ha enug eek supplemen a ion can enhance insulin
sensi i i y and educe blood suga le els in diabe ic indi iduals28.
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3.3. Gymnema syl es e
Gymnema syl es e, na i e o India and A ica, is a e e ed he b in Ayu edic medicine. The ac i e compounds in
Gymnema, such as gymnemic acids, saponins, and la onoids, a e belie ed o ha e po en an i-diabe ic e ec s. One o
i s p ima y mechanisms is s imula ing insulin sec e ion and p omo ing he egene a ion o β-cells, which a e c ucial o
insulin p oduc ion. Gymnema also educes suga abso p ion om he gas oin es inal ac , u he con ibu ing o i s
glucose-lowe ing e ec s. Mo eo e , i enhances glucose u iliza ion by he body, which helps lowe blood suga le els.
In i o s udies ha e shown ha Gymnema p omo es insulin sec e ion and β-cell egene a ion. Animal s udies u he
suppo hese indings, showing imp o ed glucose up ake and insulin sensi i i y. Clinical ials ha e also epo ed
signi ican educ ions in blood suga le els a e Gymnema supplemen a ion in diabe ic pa ien s29.
3.4. Ocimum sanc um (Holy Basil)
Holy basil, o Ocimum sanc um, is ano he widely used medicinal he b in India and Sou heas Asia, pa icula ly in
Ayu edic medicine. This he b con ains eugenol, u solic acid, and a ious la onoids, which con ibu e o i s medicinal
p ope ies. Holy basil exe s i s an i-diabe ic e ec s h ough i s powe ul an ioxidan and an i-in lamma o y p ope ies.
I helps p o ec panc ea ic β-cells om oxida i e s ess, which is c i ical o main aining insulin p oduc ion.
Addi ionally, holy basil enhances insulin sensi i i y and egula es glucose me abolism, o e ing a mul i ace ed app oach
o managing diabe es. In i o s udies ha e con i med he he b’s an ioxidan and an i-in lamma o y p ope ies, while
in i o s udies ha e demons a ed i s abili y o lowe blood glucose le els and imp o e insulin sensi i i y. Clinical ials
ha e shown ha holy basil supplemen a ion can imp o e glycemic con ol and educe oxida i e s ess in diabe ic
pa ien s30.
3.5. Be be is a is a a
Be be is a is a a, also known as Indian ba be y, is na i e o he Himalayan egion and widely used in adi ional
medicine in India. The plan con ains be be ine, a po en bioac i e compound ha plays a c ucial ole in i s an i-diabe ic
e ec s. Be be ine wo ks by ac i a ing AMP-ac i a ed p o ein kinase (AMPK), a key egula o o ene gy me abolism. By
ac i a ing AMPK, be be ine inc eases insulin sensi i i y, educes hepa ic glucose p oduc ion, and imp o es lipid
me abolism. In addi ion o i s insulin-sensi izing p ope ies, be be ine also has an i-in lamma o y e ec s, which help
educe he complica ions associa ed wi h diabe es. In i o s udies ha e shown ha be be ine ac i a es AMPK and
imp o es glucose up ake, while animal s udies suppo i s abili y o lowe blood glucose and lipid le els. Clinical ials
in humans ha e also demons a ed ha be be ine supplemen a ion can help manage blood glucose le els and imp o e
insulin sensi i i y31.
3.6. Cinnamomum e um (Cinnamon)
Cinnamon, o Cinnamomum e um, is a well-known spice na i e o S i Lanka, widely used bo h in culina y p ac ices and
adi ional medicine. The ac i e compounds in cinnamon, such as cinnamaldehyde, p oan hocyanidins, and la onoids,
con ibu e o i s an i-diabe ic e ec s. Cinnamon enhances insulin ecep o sensi i i y, imp o ing insulin signaling in he
body. I also helps egula e hepa ic glucose p oduc ion, p e en ing excess glucose elease om he li e . Addi ionally,
cinnamon inhibi s ca bohyd a e-diges ing enzymes, slowing he abso p ion o glucose om he diges i e ac . In i o
s udies ha e shown ha cinnamon inc eases insulin ecep o sensi i i y, while animal models con i m i s abili y o
educe blood glucose le els and imp o e insulin sensi i i y. Clinical ials ha e demons a ed ha cinnamon
supplemen a ion can signi ican ly educe as ing blood glucose le els and imp o e o e all insulin sensi i i y in
indi iduals wi h ype 2 diabe es26.
3.7. Cu cuma longa (Tu me ic)
Tu me ic, o Cu cuma longa, is commonly used in India and Sou heas Asia bo h as a spice and in adi ional medicine.
The ac i e compound in u me ic, cu cumin, along wi h o he cu cuminoids, is esponsible o i s po en medicinal
p ope ies. Cu cumin exe s powe ul an ioxidan and an i-in lamma o y e ec s, which a e essen ial o managing
diabe es- ela ed oxida i e s ess and in lamma ion. Fu he mo e, cu cumin imp o es insulin sensi i i y and helps
p o ec panc ea ic β-cells, which a e essen ial o insulin p oduc ion. In i o s udies ha e shown ha cu cumin
signi ican ly educes oxida i e s ess, while in i o esea ch has demons a ed i s abili y o imp o e glucose ole ance
and insulin sensi i i y in diabe ic animal models. Clinical s udies also sugges ha cu cumin supplemen a ion can lead
o imp o ed glycemic con ol and educed in lamma ion in indi iduals wi h diabe es28.
3.8. P e oca pus ma supium
P e oca pus ma supium, known as he Indian Kino ee, is widely used in adi ional Indian medicine o manage
diabe es. The plan con ains compounds like p e os ilbene and la onoids, which ha e been ound o ha e an i-diabe ic
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e ec s. P e oca pus ma supium enhances insulin sec e ion and p omo es he egene a ion o β-cells, he eby imp o ing
insulin p oduc ion. Addi ionally, i inc eases pe iphe al glucose up ake and educes blood glucose le els by inhibi ing
gluconeogenesis in he li e . In i o s udies ha e shown ha P e oca pus ma supium enhances insulin sec e ion and
glucose up ake, while animal models ha e demons a ed educed blood glucose le els. Though clinical e idence is
limi ed, ea ly s udies sugges ha i may hold p omise o managing diabe es in humans29.
3.9. Salacia e icula a
Salacia e icula a, a plan na i e o India and S i Lanka, has been used in Ayu edic medicine o cen u ies o ea
diabe es. The ac i e compounds in Salacia e icula a, including salacinol and ko alanol, ha e po en inhibi o y e ec s on
ca bohyd a e-diges ing enzymes such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase. By inhibi ing hese enzymes, Salacia e icula a
delays he diges ion and abso p ion o ca bohyd a es, hus educing pos p andial blood glucose spikes. In i o s udies
ha e demons a ed ha Salacia e icula a e ec i ely inhibi s α-glucosidase and α-amylase, while in i o s udies ha e
shown ha i can lowe pos p andial blood glucose le els. Some clinical ials also suppo i s e icacy, sugges ing ha
Salacia e icula a can help egula e blood glucose le els in diabe ic indi iduals22.
3.10. Syzygium cumini (Jamun)
Syzygium cumini, commonly known as Jamun, is na i e o he Indian subcon inen and Sou heas Asia. The ac i e
compounds in Jamun, including eugenol, an hocyanins, and la onoids, con ibu e o i s an i-diabe ic p ope ies. Jamun
enhances insulin sec e ion and imp o es glucose me abolism. I also exhibi s po en an ioxidan and an i-in lamma o y
e ec s, which help comba oxida i e s ess and in lamma ion commonly associa ed wi h diabe es. In i o s udies ha e
shown ha Jamun possesses insulin-mime ic and an ioxidan p ope ies, while animal s udies ha e demons a ed i s
abili y o educe blood glucose and imp o e glycemic con ol. Clinical s udies sugges ha Jamun can help egula e blood
suga le els in diabe ic pa ien s23.
3.11. Allium sa i um (Ga lic)
Ga lic, o Allium sa i um, is a widely used medicinal plan wi h a long his o y o use in Asia, Eu ope, and A ica. The
ac i e compounds in ga lic, such as allicin and diallyl disul ide, play a c ucial ole in i s an i-diabe ic e ec s. Ga lic
s imula es insulin sec e ion, imp o es insulin sensi i i y, and educes oxida i e s ess, all o which con ibu e o be e
glycemic con ol. I also helps imp o e lipid p o iles and educe blood glucose le els. In i o s udies ha e demons a ed
ha ga lic enhances insulin sec e ion and exhibi s an ioxidan ac i i y. Animal models ha e shown ha ga lic
supplemen a ion can imp o e blood glucose and lipid le els, while clinical ials ha e indica ed ha i can educe blood
glucose le els and imp o e insulin sensi i i y in diabe ic pa ien s30.
3.12. S e eospe mum pe sona um
S e eospe mum pe sona um is na i e o India and is used in adi ional medicine o ea a ious ailmen s, including
diabe es. The plan con ains i e penoids, la onoids, and alkaloids, which con ibu e o i s hypoglycemic e ec s. I
wo ks by imp o ing insulin sensi i i y and inc easing glucose up ake by pe iphe al issues, which helps educe blood
glucose le els. In i o s udies ha e shown ha S e eospe mum pe sona um has he po en ial o enhance glucose up ake,
while in i o s udies ha e demons a ed i s abili y o lowe blood glucose le els in diabe ic animal models. Al hough
clinical e idence is limi ed, he plan shows p omise as a po en ial an i-diabe ic agen 32.
3.13. Senna ob usi olia (Senna)
Senna, o Senna ob usi olia, is widely used in A ica and Asia o i s medicinal p ope ies, pa icula ly as a laxa i e. The
ac i e compounds in Senna, including sennosides, la onoids, and an h aquinones, exhibi mild hypoglycemic e ec s.
Senna may educe blood suga le els by imp o ing gas oin es inal ansi and gu heal h, which can indi ec ly in luence
glucose abso p ion and blood suga egula ion. In i o s udies ha e shown mild hypoglycemic e ec s, while in i o
esea ch has demons a ed some educ ion in blood glucose le els. Al hough clinical e idence is limi ed, Senna’s ole in
gu heal h and diges ion sugges s po en ial bene i s o managing diabe es32.
3.14. Amomum subula um (Black Ca damom)
Amomum subula um, commonly known as Black Ca damom, is na i e o he Himalayan egion and used in Ayu edic
medicine o ea ing a ious heal h condi ions, including diabe es. The ac i e compounds in Black Ca damom, such as
essen ial oils, la onoids, and e penoids, help imp o e insulin sec e ion and sensi i i y. I also educes blood glucose
by enhancing panc ea ic β-cell unc ion. Addi ionally, i s an ioxidan and an i-in lamma o y p ope ies suppo o e all
me abolic heal h. In i o s udies ha e shown ha Black Ca damom can egula e insulin sec e ion, while animal s udies
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ha e demons a ed imp o ed glucose ole ance and insulin sensi i i y. Ea ly clinical s udies sugges ha Black
Ca damom can help egula e blood glucose le els in diabe ic pa ien s32.
3.15. Mo inga olei e a (Mo inga)
Mo inga (Mo inga olei e a), commonly known as he "d ums ick ee," is na i e o Sou h Asia and is widely used o i s
nu i ional and medicinal bene i s. The plan con ains bioac i e compounds like glucosinola es, la onoids, polyphenols,
and i amins, all o which con ibu e o i s an i-diabe ic p ope ies. Mo inga is known o help lowe blood suga le els
by enhancing insulin sec e ion and inc easing insulin sensi i i y. Addi ionally, i has an ioxidan p ope ies ha help
educe oxida i e s ess, a common issue in diabe es. Mo inga also inhibi s glucose abso p ion in he in es ines,
p e en ing spikes in blood suga le els a e meals. In i o s udies ha e shown ha Mo inga ex ac s exhibi signi ican
an i-diabe ic e ec s, and in i o animal s udies ha e demons a ed i s po en ial o lowe blood glucose and imp o e
insulin sensi i i y. Clinical ials sugges ha Mo inga supplemen a ion can lead o imp o ed glycemic con ol and
educed blood suga le els in diabe ic indi iduals33.
3.16. Zingibe o icinale (Ginge )
Ginge (Zingibe o icinale) is a widely known spice and medicinal plan ha has been used o cen u ies o ea a ious
heal h condi ions, including diabe es. The ac i e compounds in ginge , such as ginge ol, shogaol, and pa adol, ha e
demons a ed signi ican an i-diabe ic e ec s. Ginge p ima ily wo ks by imp o ing insulin sensi i i y and educing
insulin esis ance, a key ac o in he de elopmen o ype 2 diabe es. I also educes oxida i e s ess and in lamma ion,
bo h o which a e o en ele a ed in diabe ic pa ien s. Addi ionally, ginge helps egula e blood suga by enhancing
glucose up ake in issues and inhibi ing he ac i i y o ce ain enzymes ha b eak down ca bohyd a es. In i o s udies
ha e shown ha ginge educes blood glucose le els, and animal s udies ha e con i med i s abili y o imp o e insulin
sensi i i y. Clinical ials ha e indica ed ha ginge supplemen a ion can help educe as ing blood glucose le els and
imp o e o e all glycemic con ol in people wi h ype 2 diabe es27.
3.17. Ficus benghalensis (Banyan T ee)
Ficus benghalensis, commonly known as he Banyan ee, is na i e o opical egions o Asia. The plan is adi ionally
used in Ayu edic medicine o ea ing a ious ailmen s, including diabe es. The ac i e compounds in Ficus
benghalensis, including la onoids, annins, and alkaloids, ha e shown po en ial in managing blood suga le els. Ficus
benghalensis exe s i s an i-diabe ic e ec s by s imula ing insulin sec e ion om panc ea ic β-cells and inc easing he
up ake o glucose by pe iphe al issues. Addi ionally, i has an i-in lamma o y and an ioxidan p ope ies ha help
mi iga e he complica ions o diabe es. In i o s udies ha e demons a ed ha ex ac s om he Banyan ee can help
egula e glucose me abolism. Animal s udies ha e also shown ha Ficus benghalensis can lowe blood glucose le els
and imp o e insulin sensi i i y. Though clinical e idence is limi ed, he plan ’s long-s anding use in adi ional medicine
sugges s i has po en ial o managing diabe es33.
3.18. And og aphis panicula a (And og aphis)
And og aphis panicula a, commonly known as he "King o Bi e s," is a he b na i e o Sou h Asia and is widely used in
adi ional medicine o ea ing a a ie y o diseases, including diabe es. The ac i e compounds in And og aphis,
pa icula ly and og apholides, ha e been shown o ha e s ong an i-diabe ic e ec s. And og aphis imp o es insulin
sensi i i y and educes blood glucose le els by p omo ing he ac ion o insulin in he body. I also has an i-in lamma o y
and an ioxidan p ope ies, which help educe he oxida i e s ess and in lamma ion associa ed wi h diabe es. In i o
s udies ha e shown ha And og aphis panicula a imp o es glucose me abolism and insulin ac ion. Animal s udies
u he suppo hese e ec s, demons a ing a educ ion in blood glucose le els. Al hough clinical s udies a e limi ed,
p elimina y esea ch sugges s ha And og aphis supplemen a ion could be a bene icial adjunc in he managemen o
diabe es25.
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Table 2 Summa y o An i-Diabe ic Medicinal Plan s and Thei Ac i e Compounds
Plan Name
Ac i e Compounds
Mechanism o Ac ion
Suppo ing E idence
Momo dica
cha an ia (Bi e
Melon)
Cha an in,
polypep ide-p, icine,
alkaloids
Mimics insulin, p omo es
glucose up ake, and acili a es
glucose o glycogen con e sion
In i o, in i o, and clinical s udies
demons a e imp o ed blood
glucose egula ion and insulin
sensi i i y.
T igonella oenum-
g aecum
(Fenug eek)
4-Hyd oxyisoleucine,
saponins, la onoids
S imula es insulin sec e ion,
enhances insulin sensi i i y,
imp o es glucose me abolism
In i o, in i o, and clinical ials
show imp o ed insulin sensi i i y
and blood glucose con ol.
Gymnema syl es e
Gymnemic acids,
saponins, la onoids
S imula es insulin sec e ion,
egene a es β-cells, educes
suga abso p ion, imp o es
glucose u iliza ion
In i o, animal s udies, and clinical
ials suppo i s abili y o educe
blood suga and imp o e insulin
sensi i i y.
Ocimum sanc um
(Holy Basil)
Eugenol, u solic acid,
la onoids
An ioxidan , an i-in lamma o y,
p o ec s β-cells, imp o es
insulin sensi i i y, egula es
glucose me abolism
In i o, in i o, and clinical s udies
demons a e lowe ed blood glucose
le els and imp o ed insulin
sensi i i y.
Be be is a is a a
Be be ine
Ac i a es AMPK, inc eases
insulin sensi i i y, educes
hepa ic glucose p oduc ion,
imp o es lipid me abolism
In i o, animal s udies, and clinical
ials show imp o ed glucose
up ake and insulin sensi i i y.
Cinnamomum e um
(Cinnamon)
Cinnamaldehyde,
p oan hocyanidins,
la onoids
Enhances insulin ecep o
sensi i i y, egula es hepa ic
glucose p oduc ion, inhibi s
ca bohyd a e diges ion
In i o, animal s udies, and clinical
ials demons a e imp o ed insulin
sensi i i y and educed blood
glucose le els.
Cu cuma longa
(Tu me ic)
Cu cumin,
cu cuminoids
An ioxidan , an i-in lamma o y,
imp o es insulin sensi i i y,
p o ec s β-cells
In i o, in i o, and clinical s udies
sugges imp o ed glycemic con ol
and educed in lamma ion.
P e oca pus
ma supium
P e os ilbene,
la onoids
Enhances insulin sec e ion,
p omo es β-cell egene a ion,
educes gluconeogenesis
In i o, animal s udies show
imp o ed blood glucose egula ion
and insulin sec e ion.
Salacia e icula a
Salacinol, ko alanol
Inhibi s ca bohyd a e-diges ing
enzymes (α-glucosidase, α-
amylase), delays ca bohyd a e
abso p ion
In i o, in i o, and some clinical
ials show educed pos p andial
blood glucose le els.
Syzygium cumini
(Jamun)
Eugenol, an hocyanins,
la onoids
Enhances insulin sec e ion,
imp o es glucose me abolism,
an ioxidan and an i-
in lamma o y e ec s
In i o, animal s udies, and clinical
ials show educed blood glucose
and imp o ed glycemic con ol.
Allium sa i um
(Ga lic)
Allicin, diallyl disul ide
S imula es insulin sec e ion,
imp o es insulin sensi i i y,
educes oxida i e s ess
In i o, animal s udies, and clinical
ials demons a e educed blood
glucose le els and imp o ed insulin
sensi i i y.
S e eospe mum
pe sona um
T i e penoids,
la onoids, alkaloids
Imp o es insulin sensi i i y,
inc eases glucose up ake
In i o and animal s udies show
po en ial o lowe ing blood glucose
le els.
Senna ob usi olia
(Senna)
Sennosides, la onoids,
an h aquinones
Imp o es gas oin es inal
ansi , indi ec ly egula es
glucose abso p ion
In i o and animal s udies show
mild hypoglycemic e ec s.
