Medicinal Plants Classification Biosynthesis and ... - Index of

Management of Diabetes with Diet and Plant-Derived Drugs
obesity. The mechanisms of action are recognized as stimulation of the pancreas to secrete
insulin, interference with dietary glucose absorption and insulin sparing action of bioactive
compounds. Ginger (Zingiber officinale), curry leaf (Murraya koenigii), mustard (Brassica
nigra) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) also improved glucose tolerance in experimental
diabetic animals (20).
Apart from serving as flavouring agents, spices can also be used in the management of
certain metabolic disorders such as diabetes. Rhus coriaria L., also called sumac, and Bunium
persicum Boiss, also known as black Persian cumin, are two spices used as a condiment,
particularly in Iran and Afghanistan. The methanolic, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts of
both the spices have been studied for their ability to inhibit the enzyme α-amylase. The ethyl
acetate extract of Rhus coriaria fruits showed significant α-amylase inhibitory activity and
thus has the potential to be used in the management of diabetes (21).
Various samples of fruit-enriched yoghurts have been tested for diabetes and
hypertension management. Dairy and soy yoghurt enriched with strawberry, blueberry and
peach were screened, in vitro, for total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, α-glucosidase
inhibition, α-amylase inhibition and the angiotensin converting enzyme-I (ACE-I) inhibition.
Soy yoghurt enriched with blueberry showed the highest antioxidant activity, phenolic
content, α-glucosidase inhibition and α-amylase inhibition. The results indicated that
enrichment of yoghurts with fruit phytochemicals like blueberries showed high health
functional value in terms of Type II diabetes management. Soy yoghurt, enriched with
blueberries, appeared to be the best food system in the management of diabetes and its long
term complications (22). Cheese, another beneficial dairy product, has been evaluated against
the key enzymes linked to Type II diabetes and hypertension. Three different types of cheese
– cheddar, feta and Roquefort have been screened to determine their potential to inhibit αglucosidase,
α-amylase and ACE-I. All samples of cheese showed very high ACE-I
inhibition, while cranberry-enriched cheeses had the highest activity for α–glucosidase and αamylase
inhibition. Therefore, cheeses enriched with cranberries have promising anti-diabetic
potential such that enrichment with herbs and fruit phytochemicals can result in the enhanced
health functional value of cheese in relation to Type II diabetes management (23).
The aqueous extracts of some American foods (fresh green pepper, string beans, baby
spinach, broccoli sprouts, red pepper, fresh carrot, romaine lettuce, red grape, tomato and
basil leaves, graham cracker, chips ahoy cookies and wheat thins crackers) and Asian foods
(powdered Asian spices fenugreek, mustard, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, fennel powder,
cardamom powder, fresh eggplant, coccinia, bittergourd, small brinjal, ginger, mustard and
fresh carrot) were screened using in vitro enzymatic assays. Overall, Asian foods were found
to be more active than the American foods and possessed higher antioxidant activity and αamylase
inhibition. Red grape, green pepper, broccoli sprouts, fresh carrot, ginger, coccinia,
mustard and cinnamon extracts had the strongest anti-α-amylase activities. Wheat thin
crackers, red grape, broccoli sprouts, green pepper, cinnamon, fenugreek, fennel powder and
ginger had minor α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. However, ginger extract was found to
possess significant anti-ACE activity which shows that ginger may also have a strong
potential as an antihypertensive agent. It was suggested that antioxidant activity was
associated with amylase inhibition, protein content seemed to be inversely associated with the
amylase inhibition and protein–phenolic and/or phenolic–phenolic synergies may be involved
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