Abstract

ANTIDIABETIC POTENTIAL OF MEDICINAL PLANTS: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF BIOACTIVE PHYTOCONSTITUENTS, GLYCEMIC REGULATION MECHANISMS, PHARMACOLOGICAL VALIDATION, TOXICOLOGICAL SAFETY, TRANSLATIONAL THERAPEUTIC PROSPECTS

Parwati Chouhan, Shiv Kumar Bhardwaj*

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance or both. Increasing prevalence and limitations of conventional antidiabetic therapies have stimulated interest in plant-derived hypoglycemic agents. Medicinal plants are rich sources of bioactive phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins and phenolic compounds that modulate glucose metabolism and pancreatic β-cell function. This systematic review compiles pharmacological evidence on medicinal plants exhibiting antidiabetic activity, emphasizing glycemic regulation mechanisms and safety considerations. Experimental studies demonstrate significant effects including enhancement of insulin sensitivity, inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes and antioxidant protection against diabetic complications. Despite promising preclinical outcomes, challenges such as extract standardization, toxicologicalprofiling and clinical validation remain. Future translational research may facilitate development of safe plant-based antidiabetic therapeutics.

Keywords: Antidiabetic activity; Medicinal plants; Glycemic control; Phytochemicals; Insulin sensitivity.