Role of Natural Bio-active Compounds as Antidiabetic Agents

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease caused by secretion and/or poor use of insulin, which produces an excess of glucose in the blood. DMs are responsible for 1.5 million deaths per year and according to the World Health Organization (OMS) it is estimated that there are 422 million people with DM worldwide, growing dramatically in low- and middle-income countries. A poor public healthcare system, a low purchasing power, and a lack of human resources are just some of the conditions that cause the diabetic population to look for supplements or adjunctive alternatives for this disease. On the other hand, the use of plants to cure and/or prevent diseases has prevailed over time. In this sense, there are various plants in popular use that have been attributed antidiabetic properties since they contain bioactive compounds of secondary metabolites such as saponins, polyphenols, terpenes, among others, which act by inhibiting enzymes involved in the adsorption of carbohydrates, improving secretion and insulin sensitivity, have antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, among other mechanisms of action, thus helping in prevention and/or as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of blood glucose levels regulation and delaying some of the complications derived of the DM.