Plant-Derived Compounds Targeting Pancreatic Beta Cells for the Treatment of Diabetes

Table 1

Biological functions of plants (bioactive compounds) with confirmed antidiabetic properties.

Botanical name	Active compounds	Effect observed	References
Anoectochilus roxburghii	Kinsenoside	Increases pancreatic beta cell regeneration	[98]
Biden pilosa	3-β-D-Glucopyranosyl-1-hydroxy-6(E)-tetradecene-8,10,12-triyne; 2-β-D-Glucopyranosyloxy-1-hydroxy-5(E)-tridecene-7,9,11-triyne; 2-β-D-Glucopyranosyloxy-1-hydroxy-5,7,9,11-tetrayne (cytopiloyne)	Increases insulin production; Enhances insulin secretion	[12–16]
Camellia sinensis	Epigallocatechin-3-gallate	Enhances insulin secretion; Inhibits pancreatic beta cell apoptosis	[78–86]
Capsicum annuum	Capsaicin	Enhances insulin secretion	[17–19]
Carica papaya	Flavonoids/alkaloids/saponin/tannins	Enhances insulin secretion	[20, 21]
Curcuma longa	Curcumin	Enhances insulin secretion	[71–77]
Ervatamia microphylla	Conophylline	Induces differentiation into insulin producing cells	[64–70]
Glycine max	Genistein	Enhances insulin secretion; Inhibits pancreatic beta cell apoptosis	[87–97]
Gymnema sylvestre	Gymnemic acids	Enhances insulin secretion	[22–32]
Momordica charantia	Momordicin	Increases pancreatic beta cell regeneration	[33–43]
Nymphaea stellate	Nymphayol	Enhances insulin secretion	[44–46]
Panax ginseng	Ginsenoside	Enhances insulin secretion; Increases proliferation	[47–57]
Rhizoma coptidis	Berberine	Enhances insulin secretion	[58–63]
Silybum marianum	Silymarin	Inhibits pancreatic beta cell apoptosis	[113–118]
Commonly found in plants	Resveratrol	Inhibits pancreatic beta cell apoptosis	[106–112]
Commonly found in plants	Quercetin	Enhances insulin secretion; Inhibits pancreatic beta cell apoptosis	[99–105]