Research Information System
Acta Pharmaceutica Sciencia, vol.54, no.1, pp.9-20, 2016 (Scopus)
© 2016, University of Istanbul. All rights reserved.Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder, is characterized by absolute or relative deficiencies in insulin secretion and/or insulin action associated with chronic hyperglycemia. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide, especially in developing countries. The diabetes treatment has higher costs, limited efficacy and side effects. As a result of these factors, patients often have used alternative forms of therapy such as herbal medicines. Plants often contain various amounts of phenolics, flavonoids and tannins and most of the studies are focused on the antidiabetic effects of these phytochemicals due to their antioxidant properties. In this review, the role of oxidative stress on diabetes and the effects of different phytochemicals (limonene, sinnamic acid and ursolic acid) to diabetes mellitus therapy will be discussed.