Chapter 6 - Phytonutrients in the management of glucose metabolism

Abstract

In the bi-hormonal model, insulin and glucagon are the two major glucoregulatory hormones responsible for glucose disappearance and glucose appearance, respectively. The metabolic imbalance triggered by chronic hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia may result in the impairment of glucose-induced insulin secretion, eventually resulting in the development of diabetes mellitus (DM). Persistent or chronic cases of DM can silently lead to serious complications such as autonomic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular events, and increased susceptibility to infections. A range of agents have been approved for the clinical management of DM, but certain limitations remain, including the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) for almost all antidiabetic medications and a high cost for certain drug classes. Phytonutrients can play a vital role in the maintenance of health and wellness by protecting against chronic degenerative disorders including DM. Having a favorable safety profile and a low cost, they can be used effectively in the form of extracts or as isolated compounds, allowing them to serve as alternate therapeutic agents in glucose metabolic disorders. Thousands of herbs have been suggested for the treatment of DM, and a plethora of combinations of these products are marketed for the purpose of lowering blood glucose levels and for the treatment of diabetes-associated comorbid conditions. With further developments in the available literature, it is possible that one or more of these agents may become a part of conventional antidiabetic therapies. The present chapter highlights the potential hypoglycemic roles of phytonutrients including phenolic compounds, alkaloids, sulfides, phytosterols, dietary fibers, and carotenoids.