Potentials of Phytopharmaceuticals for Treating Microbiological and Oxidative Stress-Induced Type 2 Diabetes

Currently, type 2 diabetes is one of the most widespread noncommunicable maladies that inflict more than 400 million people globally. Diabetes-induced oxidative stress and distortion in gastrointestinal microbiota seem to play an important role in the occurrence of metabolic syndrome and related disorders. Oxidative stress causes imbalance between highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant systems of the body, resulting in metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, kidney problem, neuropathy, retinopathy, cancer risk, etc. Some studies show that imbalance in the gut microbiota also contributes in the development of type 2 diabetes. Microbial dysbiosis is considered to cause diabetic complications like cardiometabolic syndrome. Soluble dietary fibers have beneficial effects on gut microbiota and promote metabolic benefits on glucose control, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Oral administration of purified and standardized phytopharmaceuticals containing bioactive compounds of different medicinal plants which help to normalize blood sugar level and promote healthy microbiota have proven useful in the prevention, mitigation, and management of diabetes as well as associated cardiometabolic syndrome. Recently, probiotics/prebiotics/synbiotics have gained importance in promoting healthy microbiota in diabetic patients. Probiotics consist of live bacteria present in foods like yogurt/cheese that confer health benefits on the host, while prebiotics are indigestible oligosaccharides that promote growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The focus of the review is to highlight the therapeutic potential of various types of phytomedicines and their known mechanistic actions involved in the management of type 2 diabetes. Results of clinical trials of herbal remedies and probiotics/prebiotics in humans and in vivo effects observed in animal models will also be described in this review. Randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind clinical studies with robust endpoints are needed for establishing the long-term safety, efficacy, and therapeutic relevance of phytopharmaceuticals and probiotics/ prebiotics/synbiotics in treating patients suffering from type 2 diabetes.