A lot of my own former colleagues who are doctors and countless patients, including mine have consulted me on other therapeutics options in treating diabetes other than using drugs.
Insulin is also available in various formulations, including rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting types, and is used to manage both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
We shall not go any further into all these anti-diabetic drugs as my purpose here is to write on other more effective and safer natural medicine that have traditionally been used that patients have told me are much more effective than conventional drugs.
Let me now write a short review paper here on other alternative options that are used traditionally where many patients have told me they were permanent cured and now free from diabetes, after their doctors have failed to cure them permanently using those drugs mentioned above
Alternative Natural Agents in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: Mechanistic Insights
Abstract
This review examines four natural or supplemental agents, namely,
Orthosiphon stamineus (Misai Kucing), Swietenia mahagoni (Tunjuk Langit), Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon), and chromium (especially chromium picolinate as glucose tolerance factor) -focusing on their mechanistic roles in glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and diabetic complication mitigation, based on current in vitro, in vivo, and limited human studies.
1. Orthosiphon stamineus (Misai Kucing)
1.1 Hypoglycemic activity and glucose metabolism
The chloroform sub-fraction (Cƒ2-b) of O. stamineus significantly reduced blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats without altering plasma insulin levels, suggesting an insulin-independent mechanism such as enhancing peripheral glucose uptake [1].
1.2 Glucose uptake and enzyme inhibition
Aqueous extracts have been shown to increase glucose uptake and consumption in adipocytes (3T3-L1 cells), indicating potential insulin-mimetic or sensitising activity [2].
Flavonoid constituents such as sinensetin inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase, with IC₅₀ values as low as 0.66 mg/mL [3].
1.3 Antioxidant and GLUT4-mediated effects
Water extracts exhibit antioxidant activity and promote GLUT4 translocation to skeletal muscle cell membranes, enhancing glucose uptake [4].
A systematic review has identified rosmarinic acid, betulinic acid, tormentic acid, and orthosiphols among the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects [5].
2. Swietenia mahagoni (Tunjuk Langit)
2.1 Hypoglycemic and α-glucosidase inhibitory properties
Seeds of Swietenia macrophylla exhibit hypoglycemic activity in diabetic rats, likely due to reduced carbohydrate absorption and delayed postprandial glucose rise [6,7].
2.2 Glucose tolerance improvement
Purified seed extract demonstrates α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ of approximately 4.7 µg/mL, and improves glucose tolerance in animal models [8].
2.3 Antioxidant and cardioprotective effects
Nanoparticle formulations of S. macrophylla seed extract have been found to reduce oxidative stress in diabetic rat cardiac tissues by lowering malondialdehyde (MDA), enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), thus protecting cardiac cells from hyperglycemia-induced injury [9].
3. Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon)
3.1 Multi-component activity
Bitter melon contains polypeptide-P (an insulin-like peptide), charantin, saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and triterpenoids, all of which contribute to its hypoglycemic effects [10,11].
3.2 Mechanistic pathways
Its mechanisms include antioxidant protection of pancreatic β-cells, reduced intestinal glucose absorption, inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis, increased hepatic glycogen storage, and stimulation of glucose oxidation [10].
Certain compounds activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), enhancing glucose uptake and improving metabolic regulation [10,12].
Polypeptide-P and lectins exert insulin-like effects by stimulating glucose uptake via increased insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) phosphorylation and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway activation [13,14].
Additional studies suggest modulation of incretin signaling through TGR5 activation, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) release, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibition [15].
4. Chromium (particularly Chromium Picolinate as GTF)
4.1 Role in insulin signaling
Chromium picolinate supplementation has been shown in some studies to enhance insulin sensitivity, increase insulin receptor kinase activity, improve insulin receptor mRNA expression, and support insulin-like growth factor receptor synthesis [16,17,18].
4.2 Chromodulin mediation
A proposed mechanism involves low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance (chromodulin) binding to Cr³⁺, which then interacts with the insulin receptor to prolong tyrosine kinase activation and enhance glucose uptake [19,20].
4.3 Clinical evidence and limitations
Meta-analyses report modest improvements in fasting glucose and HbA₁c in insulin-resistant individuals, though findings are inconsistent [16,18].
Safety is generally acceptable at 200–1,000 µg/day, but high doses may pose risks in those with renal or hepatic impairment [18,21].
Summary Table
| Agent | Main Mechanisms |
|---|---|
| Orthosiphon stamineus | ↑ Peripheral glucose uptake; α-glucosidase/α-amylase inhibition; antioxidant effects; GLUT4 translocation |
| Swietenia mahagoni | α-Glucosidase inhibition; delayed carbohydrate absorption; antioxidant & cardioprotective effects |
| Momordica charantia | Insulin-mimetic peptides; AMPK activation; reduced gluconeogenesis; improved insulin signaling |
| Chromium (picolinate) | Enhances insulin receptor activity; chromodulin-mediated kinase activation; modest glycemic improvement |
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