A systematic review of plant-based therapy for the management of diabetes mellitus in the East Africa community

Nancy Bonareri Mitaki; Ilemobayo Victor Fasogbon; Onyinye Vivian Ojiakor; Wusa Makena; Emmanuel O. Ikuomola; Reuben Samson Dangana; Ibe Micheal Usman; Ekom Monday Etukudo; Augustine Oviosun; Swase Dominic Terkimbi; Elizabeth Bessy Umoren; Angela Mumbua Musyoka; Solomon A Mbina; Esther Ugo Alum; Ibrahim Babangida Abubakar; Godson Emeka Anyanwu; Patrick Maduabuchi Aja

Phytomedicine Plus (Feb 2025)

A systematic review of plant-based therapy for the management of diabetes mellitus in the East Africa community

Nancy Bonareri Mitaki,
Ilemobayo Victor Fasogbon,
Onyinye Vivian Ojiakor,
Wusa Makena,
Emmanuel O. Ikuomola,
Reuben Samson Dangana,
Ibe Micheal Usman,
Ekom Monday Etukudo,
Augustine Oviosun,
Swase Dominic Terkimbi,
Elizabeth Bessy Umoren,
Angela Mumbua Musyoka,
Solomon A Mbina,
Esther Ugo Alum,
Ibrahim Babangida Abubakar,
Godson Emeka Anyanwu,
Patrick Maduabuchi Aja

Affiliations

Nancy Bonareri Mitaki: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Ilemobayo Victor Fasogbon: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Onyinye Vivian Ojiakor: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Wusa Makena: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Emmanuel O. Ikuomola: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Reuben Samson Dangana: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Ibe Micheal Usman: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Ekom Monday Etukudo: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Augustine Oviosun: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Swase Dominic Terkimbi: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Elizabeth Bessy Umoren: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Angela Mumbua Musyoka: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda; Corresponding author at: PO BOX 71, Bushenyi, Uganda.
Solomon A Mbina: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Esther Ugo Alum: Department of Publications and Extension, Kampala International University, PO Box 20000, Uganda
Ibrahim Babangida Abubakar: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Godson Emeka Anyanwu: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
Patrick Maduabuchi Aja: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 5, no. 1
p. 100717

Abstract

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Background Information: Diabetes is a serious global health issue that is particularly common in East Africa. Lifestyle factors influence the incidence, mortality, and morbidity of diabetes. Medicinal plants have phytochemicals with anti-diabetic properties. Purpose: This systematic review assesses the efficacy, efficiency, safety, and feasibility of phytotherapy in the treatment of diabetes in the East African Community (EAC). Methods: we conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. We limited our search to peer-reviewed English articles, preclinical models, and intervention studies reporting the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diabetes, particularly in EAC. This article follows the Guidelines for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020. Two reviewers independently performed data collection and quality assessment. We retrieved 465 articles from the database and reviewed eight articles that met the inclusion criteria for this study. Results: we identified eight medicinal plants: Maerua decumbens, Rotheca myricoides (Hochst), Piper capence, Berberis holstii, Polyscias fulva (Hiern) Harms, Lippia javanica, Caesalpina bonducella, and Securinega virosa. We extracted and analyzed information from the literature and showed that seven medicinal plants reduce blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity through their mechanism of action. Conclusion: The phytochemical properties of these medicinal plants, mainly containing alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids, may contribute to their hypoglycemic effects. Caesalpinia bonducella seed extract is less effective in controlling high blood sugar. More preclinical studies are needed to investigate the potential of phytotherapy in the management of diabetes in EAC.

Published in Phytomedicine Plus

ISSN: 2667-0313 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Other systems of medicine
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/phytomedicine-plus/

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