Mangrove plant derived bioactive compounds to overcome diabetes and its associated complications

Abstract Since the inception of human civilization, plants and the products obtained from plants have been a choice for therapeutic cure. Mangrove vegetations comprise taxonomically varied floras that are predominant along the belt of intertidal regions of tropical and subtropical coastlines. It accounts for one of the greatest productive ecosystems in the world, possessing economical and medicinal values. Phytochemical investigations have showed that the extracts derived from mangrove plants, constituted of flavonoids, phenols, saponins, alkaloids, and tannins, have the potential to combat human, animal, and plant infectious agents. It has also been established that the phytochemical compounds isolated from different species of mangrove plants have the potential to manage diabetes and its long-term complications. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by an abnormality in insulin secretion and action due to impairment in the beta cells of pancreas. Chronic diabetes is often associated with macro- and microvascular diseases like coronary heart disease, heart attack, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Plant-derived compounds have always been drugs of choice compared to conventional medicines because of their low toxicity and high efficacy and viability. Thus understanding the need of the hour, an attempt has been made to elucidate the antidiabetic attributes of bioactive compounds derived from the extracts of mangrove plants or their parts and in turn contribute to the management of its associated complications.