Uses of Papaya Leaf and Seaweed Supplementations for Controlling Glucose Homeostasis in Diabetes

Abstract

Studies from laboratory animal models and complementary medical practices have implied that nutrients from special plants or herbs contain antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-obese, anti-hypertensive, and anti-inflammatory properties. Seaweed and tropical papaya, which are widely available in Asian and Pacific countries, have been used as home remedies for centuries. The bioactive extracts from these plants contain vitamins A, C, B and E complexes, as well as polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, essential fatty acids, flavonoids, saponins, fucoidan, and phlorotannin. In this review, the authors examine the pathogenesis of diabetes characterized by hyperglycemia due to the dysregulation of glucose homeostasis, antidiabetic/antihyperglycemic seaweed or/and papaya derived bioactive phytochemicals and their proposed mechanisms of action in the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The authors also propose combining papaya and seaweed to enhance their antidiabetic effects, leveraging the advantages of herb-to-herb combination. Papaya and seaweed have demonstrated antidiabetic effects through in vitro assays, cellular models, and animal studies despite the limited clinical trials. Nutraceuticals with antidiabetic effects, such as secondary metabolites isolated from seaweed and papaya, could be combined for a synergistic effect on T2DM management. However, the application of these compounds in their purified or mixed forms require further scientific studies to evaluate their efficacy against diabetes-related complications, such as hyperlipidemia, elevated free radicals, pro-inflammatory molecules, insulin insensitivity, and the degeneration of pancreatic beta cells.

Keywords: Carica papaya; bioactive compound; diabetes; glucose uptake; herbs; hyperglycemia; insulin resistance; natural products; seaweed; secondary metabolites; type 2 diabetes.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of papaya and seaweed antihyperglycemic mechanisms. At digestion consumption of high fiber Papaya and seaweed slows blood sugar increase, intestinal absorption inhibitor of α-amylase and α-glucosidase are inhibited by fucoidan, DPHC, Fucoxanthin, phlorotannin. In the peripheral organs insulin mediated uptake is activated by Octaphlorethol, Fucoidan, sagrachromenol, alcohol and water crude extracts. Crude extracts stimulate pancreatic islet and improve hepatic NAFLD.

Figure 2

Combined bioactive compounds from papaya and seaweed may have higher potency against diabetes. While papaya leaves, fruit and roots contain alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and quinones, some of the active compounds in brown, red, and green seaweeds include phenolic and halogenated compounds. Phlorotannins, fucoxanthins, and octaphlorethol, small peptides, are also antidiabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory, as well as acting as beta cells regenerators and inhibiting glucose metabolic enzymes. A combination of bioactive compounds during extraction, or in their crude form may have synergistic effect and increase therapeutic potential of these natural products.