GLP-1 secretagogues potential of medicinal plants in management of diabetes

Abstract

Increase in prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem. It is a progressive disorder which commonly requires multiple pharmacotherapy for managing blood glucose and other DM related complications. Use of incretin based therapy is a potential solution for management of Type 2 DM (T2DM). Glucagon Like Peptide (GLP-1) is a incretin hormone which enhances serum insulin after food intake. Insulin resistance and T2DM are associated with impaired postprandial secretion of GLP-1. Recently GLP-1 agonists have shown good therapeutic potential in management of T2DM and reliving T2DM related complications. Owing to high cost of treatment and general toxicity in long term use of GLP-1 agonists, enhancing endogenous GLP-1 secretion is a good alternative. Hence, there is search for GLP-1 receptor agonists which may enhance GLP-1 production. Recently, GLP-1 secretagogues activity of medicinal plants has been reported. Increase in GLP-1 secretion by phytochemicals may help in management of T2DM with lesser side effects and low cost as compared to the GLP-1 agonists of synthetic origin. Present review is a compilation of GLP-1 secretory activity of medicinal plants, the assay system for activity studies and effective dose/concentration. Wherever reported, Phytochemicals with potential GLP-1 secretory activity has also been incorporated in the review. Mangifera indica, Glycine max, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Pinus koraiensis, Ilex paraguariensis, Berberis vulgaris and Prunus africana showed promising activity in vitro and in vivo assay systems.