Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1
Department of Bio-Health Convergence, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
2
Jeongseon Country Agricultural Technology Center, Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
3
Department of Dental Hygiene, college of Health Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
4
Department of Bio-Health Convergence, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
10.22038/ajp.2025.26991
Abstract
Objective: Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Given the numerous limitations of modern treatments, new effective therapeutic approaches are of great interest. This review provides up-to-date information on preclinical and clinical studies on antidiabetic plants in South Korea.
Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from reliable databases such as PubMed, Scopus, SciFinder and Google Scholar. The structures of antidiabetic compounds isolated from plants used as antidiabetics in South Korea were drawn using Chemical Sketch Tool-RCSB-PDB.
Results: We compiled 134 studies (116 preclinical and 18 clinical) on antidiabetic plants in South Korea. Plants like Panax ginseng, Aloe vera, Momordica charantia, Viscum album and Zingiber mioga were mostly used, while protopanaxadiol, protopanaxatriol, phellopterin, imperatorin, bergapten and curcumin were among the most potent secondary metabolites discussed. Leaves were the most frequently utilized part of the plants, representing 24.28%, followed by roots (22.86%), whole plants (10%), fruits (8.57%), seeds (5.72%), stems (5.72%), aerial parts (2.85%), branches (2.85%), and other parts like flowers, rhizomes, husks, arrowroot and pericarpium, accounting for 1.43% each. Maceration was the most common extraction method (85%), while oral administration was the main route. This route is usually safe, easy and economical, and promotes a rapid physiological response, thus enhancing the efficacy of the formulation.
Conclusion: The antidiabetic properties of many plants have been experimentally proven, but few clinical trials have been conducted on these plants, despite their folk use in the treatment of diabetes in South Korea. Further efficacy studies in humans are of great interest.
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