Phytochemical and pharmacological reports of the hypoglycemic activity of the Moringa oleifera extracts

Abstract Moringa oleifera is an arboreal plant belonging to the family Moringaceae distributed in tropical areas and has gained enormous attention in the last decades. This research is a review on the association between aqueous extracts of M. oleifera leaves and diabetes mellitus and understanding its pharmacological functions and underlying mechanisms. The research refinement demonstrated the pharmaceutical potential of M. oleifera and its phytochemicals, given its antidiabetic effect. The prospective analysis showed the amount of application within IPC A61K in health area. The secondary metabolites present in M. oleifera, glucosinolates, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds may be responsible, in part, for the disease control hypoglycemic actions. Glucosinolates, when metabolized by salivary enzymes, give rise to sulforaphanes that act in preventing type 2 diabetes and in reducing insulin resistance. Flavonoids interact with intestinal enzymes by modifying carbohydrate metabolism by regulating glycemic levels, in addition to increasing insulin sensitivity. Phenolic compounds increase the expression of glucose transporters (GLUT4) and reduce the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol, contributing to the reduction of glucose resistance and blood sugar control. Moringa oleifera can be used as complementary therapy of the type-2 diabetes.

摘要：辣木（Moringa oleifera）是分布于热带地区的辣木科（Moringaceae）木本植物，近数十年来受到学界广泛关注。本研究针对辣木叶片水提物与糖尿病（diabetes mellitus）的关联展开综述，并探讨其药理作用与潜在机制。经研究梳理证实，辣木及其植物化学物凭借抗糖尿病活性展现出药用潜力。前瞻性分析显示，其在健康领域的应用归属国际专利分类号（IPC）A61K范畴。辣木所含的次生代谢物（secondary metabolites）——硫代葡萄糖苷（glucosinolates）、黄酮类（flavonoids）与酚类化合物，可部分介导其抗糖尿病的降糖活性。硫代葡萄糖苷经唾液酶代谢后会生成萝卜硫素（sulforaphanes），后者可预防2型糖尿病（type 2 diabetes）并改善胰岛素抵抗（insulin resistance）。黄酮类化合物可通过调控血糖水平、修饰碳水化合物代谢途径作用于肠道酶类，此外还可提升胰岛素敏感性。酚类化合物可上调葡萄糖转运蛋白4（GLUT4）的表达，抑制脂肪酸与胆固醇的合成，进而改善葡萄糖抵抗并辅助调控血糖水平。辣木可作为2型糖尿病的辅助治疗手段。