Bioactive natural products for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus

Abstract Diabetes mellitus is the seventh leading cause of disability and its annual cost is $825 billion worldwide. Its prevalence is increasing globally and the number of cases is expected to reach nearly 366 million by 2030. As the conventional antidiabetic drugs are often associated with several adverse effects and have not been entirely efficacious for controlling the disease, the investigation of alternative bioactive molecules derived from natural products for the prevention and control of diabetes remains on the front line. Thus, the aim of the present review is to gather information about some common health-promoting plant-derived bioactive compounds used to prevent and treat diabetes and its complications. Several studies have demonstrated that some bioactive natural products are able to improve insulin resistance and conditions associated with diabetes. Ginkgo biloba extract, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, genistein, resveratrol, and curcumin are among the main effective bioactive products studied due to their antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects and beneficial actions on lipid profile and glucose homeostasis. These properties point to their potential use as antidiabetic compounds, as adjuvants to lifestyle, diet, and pharmacological measures.