Ethnopharmacological studies of Cecropia obtusifolia (Urticaceae) and its importance in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A mini-review

Abstract

espanolResumen: Antecedentes y Objetivos: La diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM-2) es una de las enfermedades cronicas recurrentes mas comunes, generalmente se trata con medicamentos sinteticos, muchos de los cuales tienen importantes repercusiones en el cuerpo del paciente. Por esta razon, la etnofarmacologia se ha vuelto mas importante en los ultimos anos, porque una gran cantidad de recursos de origen vegetal son utilizados en medicina y muestran un efecto positivo en el tratamiento de diferentes enfermedades, incluyendo DM-2. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de esta revision es destacar como los estudios previos se suman a la comprension y el conocimiento de los efectos biologicos informados en Cecropia obtusifolia, una planta tropical incluida en la Farmacopea Herbolaria de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos (FHEUM), comunmente usada para tratar DM-2. Metodos: Se realizo una revision profunda de la literatura sobre C. obtusifolia, centrandose en diversos estudios fitoquimicos, farmacologicos, clinicos y toxicologicos, asi como en otros hallazgos relevantes de investigacion. Resultados clave: Se reconoce que esta especie es capaz de disminuir los niveles sericos de glucosa, colesterol y trigliceridos, debido a sus propiedades hipoglucemicas e hipolipidemicas reductoras de lipidos, que se han demostrado tanto en modelos experimentales animales como en humanos, atribuyendo estos efectos al acido clorogenico y la isoorienina. Estos informes previos sugieren que C. obtusifolia es un candidato prometedor para el desarrollo de un fitofarmaceutico que podria usarse en el tratamiento de DM-2. Conclusiones: Brindamos una vision general actualizada y completa de la fitoquimica, los usos tradicionales y las actividades farmacologicas de C. obtusifolia. En cuanto a sus actividades farmacologicas, nos centramos principalmente en el efecto hipoglucemico de esta planta que apoya su uso tradicional en el control de DM-2. Ademas, el conocimiento actual se evaluo criticamente para proporcionar algunas pruebas y justificaciones y proponer futuras perspectivas de investigacion. EnglishBackground and Aims: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM-2) is one of the most recurrent chronic diseases worldwide, it is usually treated with synthetic medications, many of which have important repercussions on the patient’s body. For this reason, ethnopharmacology has become more important in recent years, because a large number of plant resources origin are used in medicine and are shown as positive effect in the treatment of different diseases, including DM-2. Therefore, the aim of this review is to highlight how previous studies are adding to the understanding and knowledge of the biological effects reported in Cecropia obtusifolia, a tropical plant included in the Herbal Pharmacopoeia of the United Mexican States (FHEUM), which is commonly used to treat DM-2. Methods: A profound literature review was carried out on C. obtusifolia, focusing on diverse phytochemical, pharmacological, clinical and toxicological studies, as well as on some other relevant research findings. Key results: It is recognized that this species is able to decrease serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels due to its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties, which has been demonstrated both in animal and human experimental models, attributing these effects to chlorogenic acid and isoorientin. These previous reports suggest that C. obtusifolia is a promising candidate for the development of a phytopharmaceutical which could be used in the treatment of DM-2. Conclusions: We provide an updated and complete overview of the phytochemistry, traditional uses, and pharmacological activities of C. obtusifolia. Regarding its pharmacological activities, we focus mainly on the hypoglycemic effect of this plant which supports its traditional use in DM-2 control. Moreover, the present knowledge was critically assessed to provide some evidence and justifications and propose future research prospects.