Abstract
Herbal infusions are an underestimated and easy to intake a source of biologically active natural compounds (polyphenols), which, in the dissolved form, are more easily absorbed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of herbal infusions as a functional food to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and to reduce the effects of increased blood glucose level (antioxidant effect-DPPH, CUPRAC, and Fe2+ chelating assays, as well as anti-inflammatory activity-inhibition of collagenase). We showed that polyphenols are present in the examined aqueous herbal infusions (including chlorogenic and gallic acids). Subsequently, our research has shown that herbal infusions containing cinnamon bark, mulberry leaves, and blackberry fruits most strongly inhibit glucose release from complex carbohydrates, and that all herbal infusions can, to different degrees, reduce the effects of elevated blood sugar. In conclusion, infusions prepared from herbal blends could be recommended to prevent type II diabetes.
Highlights
Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by a chronic condition of hyperglycemia.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it already affects 422 million adults worldwide [1]
Our study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic potential of herbal blends (HBs) infusions dedicated as supportive treatment of diabetes
Our results showed that the examined herbal infusions are characterized by different total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (Table 2)
Summary
Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by a chronic condition of hyperglycemia.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it already affects 422 million adults worldwide [1]. As a result of diabetes development, the process of glycation of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides increases due to the persistence of high blood glucose levels. AGEs, by connecting to a specific receptor for advanced glycation end-products receptor found on the surface of e.g., lymphocytes, cardiomyocytes, or neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system, activate appropriate transcription factors, and induce the synthesis of reactive oxygen species. This intensifies the oxidation of glucose (glycoxidation) and lipids (lipoxidation), leading to the development and management of diabetes complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and diabetic neuropathy [2]
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