Molecules Isolated from Mexican Hypoglycemic Plants: A Review

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Medicinal plant use for diabetes is prevalent in Mexico, with at least 800 species utilized.
• Existing research often focuses on whole extracts, necessitating a deeper analysis of active compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review molecules isolated from Mexican hypoglycemic plants.
• To document their plant sources, chemical classes, and tested hypoglycemic targets.
• To identify potential lead compounds for further drug development.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of 85 studies on Mexican hypoglycemic plants.
• Analysis of 86 isolated active compounds across various natural product classes.
• Categorization of compounds including flavonoids, terpenoids, and aromatic compounds.

Main Results:

• Identified 86 active compounds from 40 Mexican plants, including 28 flavonoids and 23 terpenoids.
• Compounds demonstrated mechanisms like alpha-glucosidase inhibition, enhanced insulin secretion, and improved insulin sensitivity.
• Nearly half of the identified molecules are rare, suggesting unique therapeutic potential.

Conclusions:

• This review provides a crucial inventory of hypoglycemic compounds from Mexican flora.
• The identified molecules warrant further investigation for diabetes treatment and mechanism elucidation.
• Contributes significantly to understanding the ethnopharmacology of Mexican medicinal plants.