An Overview on the Therapeutic Function of Foods Enriched with Plant Sterols in Diabetes Management

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the most significant health issues across the world. People identified with diabetes are more vulnerable to various infections and are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The plant-based food we consume often contains many sterol-based bioactive compounds. It is well documented that these compounds could effectively manage the processes of insulin metabolism and cholesterol regulation. Insulin resistance followed by hyperglycemia often results in oxidative stress level enhancement and increased reactive oxygen species production. At the molecular level, these changes induce apoptosis in pancreatic cells and hence lead to insulin insufficiency. Studies have proved that plant sterols can lower inflammatory and oxidative stress damage connected with DNA repair mechanisms. The effective forms of phyto compounds are polyphenols, terpenoids, and thiols abundant in vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. The available conventional drug-based therapies for the prevention and management of diabetes are time-consuming, costly, and with life-threatening side effects. Thereby, the therapeutic management of diabetes with plant sterols available in our daily diet is highly welcome as there are no side effects. This review intends to offer an overview of the present scenario of the anti-diabetic compounds from food ingredients towards the therapeutic beneficial against diabetes.

In Silico Screening and Identification of Antidiabetic Inhibitors Sourced from Phytochemicals of Philippine Plants against Four Protein Targets of Diabetes (PTP1B, DPP-4, SGLT-2, and FBPase)

“…For Moringa oleifera, Alium cepa, and Helianthus annuus, our in silico simulations revealed sterols (i.e., brassicasterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and sitosterol) as the main key players in inhibiting the four protein targets. Many in vivo studies have validated the hypoglycemic effects of phytosterols [71][72][73], which supports the observed inhibition of the four protein targets using in silico methods. Some sterols have been shown to prevent the breakdown of starch to simple sugar by inhibiting the α-glucosidase enzyme, but other signaling pathways related to diabetes management have not been explored [73].…”

“…Many in vivo studies have validated the hypoglycemic effects of phytosterols [71][72][73], which supports the observed inhibition of the four protein targets using in silico methods. Some sterols have been shown to prevent the breakdown of starch to simple sugar by inhibiting the α-glucosidase enzyme, but other signaling pathways related to diabetes management have not been explored [73]. Further clinical studies are required to confirm the potential therapeutic effects of plant sterols in mitigating symptoms associated with diabetes.…”

Characterization of Green and Yellow Papaya (Carica papaya) for Anti-Diabetic Activity in Liver and Myoblast Cells and Wound-Healing Activity in Fibroblast Cells

“…Serious side effects leading to hepatitis and hepatic failure have also been reported [43,44]. An effective therapeutic approach involving medicinal plants such as papaya can be an innovating and encouraging approach for the prevention of diabetes [45].…”

PREVENTIVE EFFECTS OF FIGS POWDER & GARLIC POWDER IN MALE ALBINO RATS WITH INDUCED DYSLIPIDEMIA

“…Statin drugs are commonly used all over the world for the management of dyslipidemia (Alam et al, 2021) . However, due to some notable side effects and economic burden, patients of dyslipidemia are now searching for natural products to manage dyslipidemia like in the past decades before 1950 (Jayaraman et al, 2021). Nowadays, researchers are searching on the usage of different natural products like olive oil, garlic, figs, cucumbers, etc.…”