Extraction, purification, characterization and antidiabetic mechanisms of plant polysaccharides: a critical review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a heterogeneous and multifactorial metabolic disorder, leading to diverse economic challenges and health complications, significantly affecting individuals’ lives. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) stands as the predominant form of diabetes, with its onset influenced by a range of genetic and environmental factors. Currently, conventional diabetic medications are employed in clinical practice, but they may entail certain side effects. Fortunately, diverse natural polysaccharides extracted from plants exhibit antidiabetic properties, which have been demonstrated to effectively mitigate hyperglycemia, reverse insulin resistance, and forestall complications associated with diabetes. Consequently, exploring the utilization of these polysaccharides as adjuncts to conventional therapies has emerged as a novel research direction in recent years. Thus, this review centers on the extraction, purification, and characterization of plant polysaccharides, providing an overview of the advancements in the antidiabetic effects and mechanisms of natural polysaccharides. This perspective offers fresh insights to explore potential research domains and enhances understanding for the development of diabetic drugs derived from polysaccharides.

Keywords

• diabetes
• extraction strategies
• chemical structure
• monosaccharides
• hypoglycemic mechanism