Updates on managing type 2 diabetes mellitus with natural products: Towards antidiabetic drug development

Fahmida Alam*, Md Asiful Islam, Mohammad Amjad Kamal, Siew Hua Gan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Over the years, natural products have shown success as antidiabetics in vitro, in vivo and in clinical trials. Because natural product-derived drugs are more affordable and effective with fewer side-effects compared to conventional therapies, pharmaceutical research is increasingly leaning towards the discovery of new antidiabetic drugs from natural products targeting pathways or components associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) pathophysiology. However, the drug discovery process is very lengthy and costly with significant challenges. Therefore, various techniques are currently being developed for the preclinical research phase of drug discovery with the aim of drug development with less time and efforts from natural products. In this review, we have provided an update on natural products including fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, beverages and mushrooms with potential antidiabetic activities from in vivo, in vitro and clinical studies. Synergistic interactions between natural products and antidiabetic drugs; and potential antidiabetic active compounds from natural products are also documented to pave the way for combination treatment and new drug discovery, respectively. Additionally, a brief idea of the drug discovery process along with the challenges that arise during drug development from natural products and the methods to conquer those challenges are discussed to create a more convenient future drug discovery process.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCurrent medicinal chemistry
Volume23
Issue number29
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to acknowledge Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for the Research University (RU) grant - 1001/PPSP/812115. We would also like to acknowledge USM Global Fellowship (2014/2015) and USM Vice-Chancellor Award (2015/2016) awarded to Fahmida Alam and Md. Asiful Islam, respectively, to pursue their PhD degrees.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Bentham Science Publishers.

Keywords

  • Antidiabetic drugs
  • Drug development
  • In vitro
  • In vivo
  • Natural products
  • Synergistic interaction
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery
  • Organic Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Updates on managing type 2 diabetes mellitus with natural products: Towards antidiabetic drug development'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this