Plants from the genus Eugenia as promising therapeutic agents for the management of diabetes mellitus: A review

Nayara Macêdo Peixoto Araujo; Henrique Silvano Arruda; David de Paulo Farias; Gustavo Molina; Gustavo Araujo Pereira; Glaucia Maria Pastore

doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110182

Plants from the genus Eugenia as promising therapeutic agents for the management of diabetes mellitus: A review

Food Res Int. 2021 Apr:142:110182. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110182. Epub 2021 Feb 8.

Authors

Nayara Macêdo Peixoto Araujo¹, Henrique Silvano Arruda², David de Paulo Farias³, Gustavo Molina⁴, Gustavo Araujo Pereira⁵, Glaucia Maria Pastore³

Affiliations

¹ Bioflavors and Bioactive Compounds Laboratory, Department of Food Science, School of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862 Campinas, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: nayarapeixoto14@hotmail.com.
² Bioflavors and Bioactive Compounds Laboratory, Department of Food Science, School of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862 Campinas, SP, Brazil; Nutrition and Metabolism Laboratory, Department of Food and Nutrition, School of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
³ Bioflavors and Bioactive Compounds Laboratory, Department of Food Science, School of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
⁴ Institute of Science and Technology, Food Engineering, UFVJM, 39100-000 Diamantina, MG, Brazil.
⁵ Institute of Technology, School of Food Engineering, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil.

PMID: 33773658
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110182

Abstract

This review combined scientific data regarding the use of genus Eugenia plants for the management of diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease mainly characterized by hyperglycaemia, which can lead to serious health complications. Scientists have been seeking therapeutic compounds in plants, reporting the species of the genus Eugenia as a potential source of phytochemicals with antidiabetic properties. In vitro and in vivo studies have proved that the bioactive compounds in the genus Eugenia can positively affect the biomarkers of diabetes. We discussed the phytochemical profile of the genus Eugenia and its mechanism of action on diabetes, which could modulate carbohydrate metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and insulin secretion, inhibit carbohydrases and reduce oxidative stress, suppressing the formation of advanced glycation end-products and protecting/regenerating pancreatic β-cells. Therefore, plants of the genus Eugenia showed therapeutic potential to be used in the treatment of diabetes and its comorbidities.

Keywords: Advanced glycation end-products; Eugenia species; Insulin resistance; Insulin secretion; Oxidative stress; Pancreatic β-cells; α-amylase; α-glucosidase.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Diabetes Mellitus* / drug therapy
Eugenia*
Glycation End Products, Advanced
Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
Phytochemicals

Substances

Glycation End Products, Advanced
Hypoglycemic Agents
Phytochemicals