Polyphenolic Compounds in Fabaceous Plants with Antidiabetic Potential

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic non-communicable disease with an increasing prevalence in Latin America and worldwide, impacting various social and economic areas. It causes numerous complications for those affected. Current treatments for diabetes include oral hypoglycemic drugs, which can lead to adverse effects and health complications. Other natural alternatives for DM treatment have been studied as adjunct therapies that could reduce or eliminate the need for antidiabetic medications. Several natural supplements may offer an alternative way to improve the quality of life for patients with DM, and they may have other nutraceutical applications. Due to their phenolic compound content, some leguminous substances have been proposed as these alternatives. Phenolic compounds, with their high antioxidant activity, have shown promising potential in insulin synthesis, secretion, and the functionality of the endocrine pancreas. This review provides valuable information on various leguminous plants with anti-diabetic properties, including antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anti-fat-induced damage, and anti-apoptotic properties in vitro and in vivo, attributed to the high content of phenolic compounds in their seeds. Natural products with antidiabetic and pharmacological treatment potential improve diabetes management by offering more effective and complementary alternatives. To integrate these herbal remedies into modern medicine, further research on phenolic compound type, doses, efficacy, and safety in the human population is needed.