The role of selected nutraceuticals in management of prediabetes and diabetes: An updated review of the literature.

2022-08
Phytotherapy research : PTR 36(10)
- Giuseppe Derosa
- Angela D'Angelo
- Pamela Maffioli

PubMed: 35912631
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7564

Study Design

Type: Review
Methods: collected and analyzed the literature reporting the results of clinical trials evaluating the effects of selected nutraceuticals on glycemia in humans

Dysglycemia is a disease state preceding the onset of diabetes and includes impaired fasting glycemia and impaired glucose tolerance. This review aimed to collect and analyze the literature reporting the results of clinical trials evaluating the effects of selected nutraceuticals on glycemia in humans. The results of the analyzed trials, generally, showed the positive effects of the nutraceuticals studied alone or in association with other supplements on fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial plasma glucose as primary outcomes, and their efficacy in improving insulin resistance as a secondary outcome. Some evidences, obtained from clinical trials, suggest a role for some nutraceuticals, and in particular Berberis, Banaba, Curcumin, and Guar gum, in the management of prediabetes and diabetes. However, contradictory results were found on the hypoglycemic effects of Morus, Ilex paraguariensis, Omega-3, Allium cepa, and Trigonella faenum graecum, whereby rigorous long-term clinical trials are needed to confirm these data. More studies are also needed for Eugenia jambolana, as well as for Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus which glucose-lowering effects were observed when administered in combination, but not alone. Further trials are also needed for quercetin.

Research Insights

Banaba→Improved Fasting Plasma Glucose
The results of the analyzed trials, generally, showed the positive effects of the nutraceuticals studied alone or in association with other supplements on fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial plasma glucose as primary outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Banaba→Improved Insulin Sensitivity
their efficacy in improving insulin resistance as a secondary outcome
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Banaba→Reduced Postprandial Blood Glucose
The results of the analyzed trials, generally, showed the positive effects of the nutraceuticals studied alone or in association with other supplements on fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial plasma glucose as primary outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Jambolan→Reduced Blood Glucose Levels
Further trials are also needed for quercetin
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Kelp→Reduced Blood Glucose Levels
Further trials are also needed for quercetin
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Mulberry→Reduced Blood Glucose Levels
Further trials are also needed for quercetin
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Onion→Reduced Blood Glucose Levels
Further trials are also needed for quercetin
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Quercetin→Reduced Blood Glucose Levels
Further trials are also needed for quercetin
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Turmeric→Improved Fasting Plasma Glucose
The results of the analyzed trials, generally, showed the positive effects of the nutraceuticals studied alone or in association with other supplements on fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial plasma glucose as primary outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Turmeric→Improved Insulin Sensitivity
their efficacy in improving insulin resistance as a secondary outcome
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Turmeric→Reduced Postprandial Blood Glucose
The results of the analyzed trials, generally, showed the positive effects of the nutraceuticals studied alone or in association with other supplements on fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial plasma glucose as primary outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Yerba Mate→Reduced Blood Glucose Levels
Further trials are also needed for quercetin
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small