Dacryodes edulis: protective antioxidant effects on diabetes pathology

Hyperglycemia is the underlying cause of diabetes and causes a progressive decline of β-cell function leading to β-cell exhaustion and eventually β-cell demise and dysfunction. Also, it is involved in the generation of free radicals and the depletion of the antioxidant system, which result in oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology of diabetes complications, therefore, the abatement of hyperglycemia and annihilation of oxidative stress provide an auspicious alternative in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. Dacryodes edulis possesses phytochemicals that have the potential to act as antihyperglycemic and antioxidative agents, thus, protecting against β-cell exhaustion and dysfunction. Various mechanisms have been proposed for the protective ability of D. edulis in diabetes pathology, which range from delaying carbohydrate digestion and absorption and β-cell regeneration to increasing insulin secretion, increasing glucose uptake and utilization, regulating lipid metabolism, scavenging free radicals, and increasing the antioxidant defense system. Various studies have attributed these potentials to its phytochemistry, particularly polyphenols. Therefore D. edulis may be employed as a potent functional food and/or nutraceutical in the treatment and management of diabetes and its complications.