Planta Med 2019; 85(11/12): 825-839
DOI: 10.1055/a-0897-7492
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Reviews
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Modulation of Diabetes by Natural Products and Medicinal Plants via Incretins

Authors

  • José-Luis Ríos

    1   Departament de Farmacologia, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
  • Isabel Andújar

    1   Departament de Farmacologia, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
    2   Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
  • Guillermo R. Schinella

    3   Cátedra Farmacología Básica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas UNLP and CICPBA, La Plata, Argentina
  • Flavio Francini

    4   CENEXA; UNLP-CONICET La Plata-FCM; CEAS-CICPBA, La Plata, Argentina
Further Information

Publication History

received 05 February 2019
revised 17 April 2019

accepted 22 April 2019

Publication Date:
07 May 2019 (online)

Preview

Abstract

Incretins are metabolic hormones released after a meal that increase insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. The two main incretins are the intestinal peptides glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. Both induce a decrease in glycemia, slow down the absorption of nutrients, and are inactivated by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4. Recently, incretin-based therapies have become a useful tool to treat diabetic patients, and different studies have focused on the identification of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, including those of natural origin. This review focuses on the new findings of medicinal plants and natural products as possible active agents on the potentiation of incretin receptor signaling. Among these, soluble fiber from species of Plantago and guar gum show promising effects, iridoid derivatives are relevant activators of incretin receptors, and derivatives of cyanidin, especially diglycosylated ones, are an interesting source of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors.