Phytochemical interventions of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes and obesity: A recent therapeutic overview

Abstract

Over the past four decades, the global surge in diabetes and obesity has given rise to the term “diabesity,” reflecting the strong connection between type 2 diabetes and obesity. This link is correlated with heightened risks of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and stroke. In light of this escalating health crisis, medicinal plants and natural products, which have long been used in traditional medicine systems, have attracted growing interest for their potential to address diabetes and obesity. This review highlights scientific evidence from preclinical and clinical studies on the efficacy of medicinal plants in treating diabetes and obesity. It focuses on the phytoconstituent responsible for these benefits and supports their traditional therapeutic use while comparing with common therapeutic interventions. Additionally, the review delves into the mechanism of action through which these plants demonstrate their benefits and explores modern formulations that fuse traditional knowledge with current healthcare practices. As diabesity continues to rise globally, understanding the role of medicinal plants in managing this dual condition offers valuable insights into alternative and complementary approaches for comprehensive healthcare.