R-(+)-Limoneno e seu derivado (–)-Carveol: uma revisão de seus efeitos sobre o diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies, which is mainly characterized by persistently high levels of glucose in the blood. Estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that approximately 422 million people have diabetes and 1.6 million deaths are directly attributed to the disease each year. Faced with such relevant numbers, natural therapies are sought that are effective, efficient and low-cost for the referred pathology. Several natural products are already being used as adjuvants in the treatment of diabetes because they have hypoglycemic action, such as monoterpenes. However, there is a strong intention to expand the portfolio of natural products with hypoglycemic compounds. Thus, the objective of this study was to list information from the literature on diabetes and the applicability of natural products, emphasizing the antidiabetic action of the monoterpenes R-(+)-Limonene and (-)-Carveol. A narrative review was performed. The selected articles were directed to the pathophysiological parameters of diabetes and its complications, aspects of the use of natural products, monoterpenes and their therapeutic effects as antidiabetic agents. The research was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, Scielo, Portal Periódicos Capes, Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct. Studies show that diabetes is a complex disease that causes a series of complications and can be treated with oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin, diet and physical activity. Researches related to R-(+)-Limonene and (-)-Carveol, in rats, showed positive results with antidiabetic action, acting in the reduction of the plasmatic levels of glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol and of the expression of inflammatory markers, as well as in the increased effect of antioxidant enzymes. However, studies involving these monoterpenes are still incipient, making this research timely. Thus, R-(+)-Limonene and (-)-Carveol are promising candidates for further research to elucidate their therapeutic effects alone or in combination with other antidiabetic monoterpenes.