The role of avocado plant and its derivatives in the management of diabetes mellitus: a natural approach to glycemic control

PurposeDiabetes mellitus is a global health challenge that leads to severe complications, negatively impacting overall health, life expectancy, and quality of life. Herbal medicines, valued for their accessibility and therapeutic benefits with minimal side effects, have been promoted as potential treatments. Managing conditions like diabetes, characterized by free radical production and cytokine-driven inflammation, is vital due to the active components in plants that exert direct pharmacological effects. This review explores the therapeutic potential of Persea americana Mill plant (avocado) in diabetes management and its potential targets.MethodsA comprehensive review of relevant published literature was conducted using keywords such as ("avocado plant" or "Persea americana") and ("diabetes"). Data were collected from scholarly databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct.ResultsPersea americana (avocado) is rich in bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, oleic acid, phenolics, vitamins, alkaloids, tannins, alpha-carotene, saponins, beta-carotene, and lutein. These components help alleviate the harmful effects of diabetes by reducing beta-cell apoptosis and inflammation. They also combat oxidative stress, inhibit specific enzymes, and scavenge free radicals. Furthermore, avocado bioactives influence key pathways critical to diabetes management, such as the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and the regulation of glucose metabolism.ConclusionThe biological properties of the parts of Persea americana plant underscore its potential as a complementary medicinal approach to diabetes management. Additionally, its role in improving cardiovascular health, often compromised in diabetics, highlights its broader therapeutic value. Future studies could explore avocado's impact on specific pathways associated with diabetes mellitus, such as mTOR, Wnt/beta-Catenin, AMPK, JAK-STAT, ROS-ERK-NF-kappa B, and IGF pathways, as current information on this pathways remains limited.