Natural Products in Diabetes: From Molecular Mechanisms to Novel Therapeutic Approaches

Dear Colleagues,

Diabetes mellitus is a burgeoning global health challenge. Despite the availability of synthetic anti-diabetic drugs, the disease's prevalence necessitates the exploration of novel therapies. Inspired by the vast and untapped therapeutic potential of natural products, where traditional and indigenous systems of medicine have played a crucial role in managing diabetes, this Special Issue is devoted to "Natural Products and Diabetes."

The focus lies on understanding the mechanisms of action, efficacy, safety, and therapeutic potential of natural products in diabetes management. These naturally occurring compounds, derived from various sources such as plants, fungi, algae, and bacteria, possess a wide range of bioactive properties, including anti-diabetic activity. They have been known to help manage blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and even provide antioxidant support, which play a crucial role in preventing diabetic complications.

This Special Issue invites original research articles, reviews, and clinical study reports. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Bioactive compounds from natural sources with potential anti-diabetic properties.
• Experimental and clinical studies investigating the efficacy and safety of natural products in diabetes intervention.
• Mechanistic studies elucidating the pathways and targets involved in the anti-diabetic action of natural products.
• Exploration of natural products in the prevention of diabetes-related complications.
• Studies on formulation and development of natural-product-derived anti-diabetic drugs.

This Special Issue also encourages submissions that discuss the challenges, such as standardization and quality control, bioavailability improvement, and regulatory aspects, in translating the traditional use of these natural substances into evidence-based medicine.

We believe that this Special Issue will provide a platform to discuss the current progress, future prospects, and challenges in the field of natural products and diabetes. This Special Issue will serve as an essential scientific repository that will hopefully stimulate further research and development into natural-product-based anti-diabetic therapies.

We look forward to furthering our understanding of the interactions between natural products and diabetes and bringing forth valuable insights to revolutionize diabetic care.

Dr. Youhua Xu
Guest Editor

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