Medicinal plants with antidiabetic activity used in the traditional medicine in Ecuador

Adéla Flekalová

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Diabetes mellitus, characterised by insulin deficiency, is one of the concerning health problems worldwide, especially in developing countries. Due to the systemic toxicity and limited effectiveness of existing antidiabetic medications, there is an urgent need to discover new plant-based natural antidiabetic alternatives. Medicinal plants have historically held significance in managing various health problems, and in recent years, there has been a surge in their global popularity due to their natural origin and minimal side effects, appealing to both developing and developed countries. Ecuador has a rich ethnobotanical heritage, with many indigenous medicinal plants exhibiting hypoglycemic or anti-hyperglycemic properties enriched with bioactive compounds. These medicinal plants have been utilised in traditional Ecuadorian medicine for many decades to manage diabetes, owing to their cost-effectiveness, use of traditional knowledge, and minimal toxicity. However, a notable absence of integrated approaches between existing ethnomedicinal practices and pharmacological research persists. Thus, this review aims to explore Ecuador's traditional medicinal plants employed in diabetes management and their bioactive phytochemicals, which are primarily responsible for their antidiabetic properties.

Keywords

antidiabetic properties, bioactive compounds, diabetes, Ecuadorian medicinal plants, ethnobotany

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 20. 4. 2024

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 31. 5. 2024
• Vedúci: prof. Ing. Eloy Fernández Cusimamani, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Adrish Dutta

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Bachelor programme:
Tropical Agriculture