Anti-Diabetic Potential of Polyphenol-Rich Fruits from the Maleae Tribe—A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Animal and Human Trials

Abstract

The Maleae tribe consists of over one thousand species, including many well-known polyphenol-containing fruit crops with wide-ranging biological properties, e.g., apples (Malus), chokeberries (Aronia), pears (Pyrus), quinces (Cydonia, Chaenomeles), saskatoon (Amelanchier), loquats (Eriobotrya), medlars (Mespilus), rowans (Sorbus), and hawthorns (Crataegus). Considering the current interest in the concept of functional foods and the still-insufficient methods of diabetes management, the anti-diabetic potential of fruits has been studied intensively, including those of the Maleae tribe. This paper is the first comprehensive overview of this selected topic, covering articles published from 2000 to 2023 (131 articles in total). The first part of this review focuses on the potential mechanisms of action of fruits investigated so far (46 species), including their effects on tissue-specific glucose transport and the expression or activity of proteins in the insulin signalling pathway. The second part covers the phytocompounds responsible for particular fruits’ activity—primarily polyphenols (e.g., flavonols, dihydrochalcones, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids), but also polysaccharides, triterpenes, and their additive and synergistic effects. In summary, fruits from the Maleae tribe seem promising as functional foods and anti-diabetic agents; however, their prospects for more expansive pro-health application require further research, especially more profound in vivo trials.

Comparison of the Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Properties of Extracts from Different Cultivars of Cornus mas L.

“…Notably, the red ethanol extract contained the highest level of chlorogenic acid and p-coumaroylquinic acid. It has been reported that p-coumaroylquinic acid can affect metabolic pathways that are dependent on PPARγ and PGC-1α [49], which explains our results. However, more research is needed to fully elucidate this mechanism.…”

Anthocyanins and Type 2 Diabetes: An Update of Human Study and Clinical Trial

“…We must emphasize that well-known anti-diabetic medications, such as acarbose, exhibit similar anti-diabetic actions. Both anthocyanins and acarbose target α-glucosidase and pancreatic α-amylase breakdown, reducing the amount of glucose released into the bloodstream [ 11 , 46 ]. Surprisingly, this effect of anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa fruit extracts is many times higher than that elicited by acarbose [ 11 , 53 , 54 ].…”

“…In the last few years, the development of polyphenol research concerning their impact on diabetes has markedly progressed. Numerous in vivo and in vitro studies provide knowledge for a better understanding of the role of nutrition and its impact on diabetes treatment [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Natural compounds, such as flavonoids, have been extensively researched for their ability to target glucose metabolism and inflammatory processes by influencing signaling cascades and immune system cell responses [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Foods on Chronic Diseases

“…The first part of this review focuses on the effects on tissue-specific glucose transport and the expression or activity of proteins in the insulin signaling pathway; whereas the second part covers the phytocompounds responsible for the activity of particular fruits-primarily polyphenols (e.g., flavonols, dihydrochalcones, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids), but also polysaccharides, triterpenes and their additive and synergistic effects. The authors conclude that fruits from the Maleae tribe seem promising as functional foods for diabetes management [14].…”

“…In a comprehensive overview of in vitro and in vivo animal and human trials of the anti-diabetic potential of fruits of the rosaceae Maleae tribe, covering 131 articles published this century, Rutkowska and Olszewska [14] review the anti-diabetic effects and potential mechanisms of the action of fruits from 46 species. The first part of this review focuses on the effects on tissue-specific glucose transport and the expression or activity of proteins in the insulin signaling pathway; whereas the second part covers the phytocompounds responsible for the activity of particular fruits-primarily polyphenols (e.g., flavonols, dihydrochalcones, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids), but also polysaccharides, triterpenes and their additive and synergistic effects.…”