Plants of the Spontaneous Flora with Beneficial Action in the Management of Diabetes, Hepatic Disorders, and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

The current pharmacological agents advised for the management of diabetes as well as cardiovascular and hepatic diseases are subject to numerous studies for safety and efficacy. Therefore, it is worth looking into alternative therapeutic aids such as natural products of medicinal plants. By a broad review of in vitro and in vivo studies on the various dandelion, chicory, and mulberry extracts, this work highlights their bioactive compounds and therapeutic action when used as a prevention and management aid in public health such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hepatic disorders like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Natural products of dandelion leaves and root extracts can suppress the development of liver cancer, decrease insulin resistance, and suppress total triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Recent studies on mulberry leaves extracts indicated that they could decrease palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity, increase total cholesterol and bile acid excretion, improve superoxide dismutase expression, and improve insulin resistance. Chicory root extracts boost satiety, reverse insulin resistance, and augment lipid metabolism thanks to their contents in chicoric acid, chlorogenic acid, and polysaccharides. Taraxacum officinale L., Morus nigra L., and Cichorium intybus L. present hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic activities and are shown to be advantageous in the management of obesity, dyslipidemia, Type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. These plants are commonly available in the European spontaneous flora and more attention could be paid to their natural products.

Momordica balsamina: phytochemistry and pharmacological potential of a gifted species

“…Despite that, there is an ongoing effort to find out more effective and affordable antidiabetic drugs, with less side effects (American Diabetes Association 2020 ; Knura et al 2021 ). Taking advantage of the ethnopharmacological uses, plants have been selected for bioassay-guided isolation and identification of new lead antidiabetic compounds (Barzkar et al 2020 ; Gaonkar and Hullatti 2020 ; Fu et al 2021 ; Wasana et al 2021 ; Lee et al 2021 ; Ignat et al 2021 ; Abu-Odeh and Talib 2021 ). Thus, metformin, the drug mostly prescribed on the treatment of type-2 diabetes, is a synthetic derivative of galegine, isolated from Galega officinalis L. (Fabaceae) (Cragg and Newman 2013 ; Bailey 2017 ).…”

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.) as a Source of Biologically Active Compounds Supporting the Therapy of Co-Existing Diseases in Metabolic Syndrome

“…Other studies have confirmed that polyphenols in dandelion leaf and stem extracts are useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. An ethanolic extract of dandelion was proved to inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products at IC50 = 69.4 mg/L compared to the antiglycation drug-aminoguanidine (IC50 = 138 mg/L) [ 54 ]. Dandelion components also show activity in regulating the pathways responsible for insulin release, most likely by inhibiting certain enzymes involved directly and indirectly in carbohydrate breakdown in the Krebs cycle and glycolytic cycle.…”

New Perspectives on the Effect of Dandelion, Its Food Products and Other Preparations on the Cardiovascular System and Its Diseases

“…In addition to its flavor qualities, dandelion is traditionally used in infusions and decoctions as aperitif, tonic, and stimulant; however, studies suggest only a minor effect [ 17 ]. It has also been used for many centuries as a remedy for kidney, liver, and gallbladder disorders [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. The beneficial effects of dandelion are dependent on the chemical compounds contained in the plant.…”