Targeting metabolic syndrome: candidate natural agents

J Diabetes. 2010 Dec;2(4):243-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-0407.2010.00090.x.

Abstract

Following on from impressive economic development and urbanization, China is currently experiencing a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Patients with metabolic syndrome suffer from the "The Deadly Quartet" of hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and central (or upper body) obesity. Current treatment strategies directed towards metabolic syndrome tend to be limited to just one of these four conditions, so developing novel drugs to target multiple metabolic abnormalities could be preferable to current approaches. New insights suggest benefits of natural agents as treatments for metabolic syndrome. Herein, we review the evidence for using nine such agents developed on the basis of traditional medicine or herbal preparations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthocyanins / adverse effects
  • Anthocyanins / therapeutic use
  • Berberine / adverse effects
  • Berberine / therapeutic use
  • China / epidemiology
  • Curcumin / adverse effects
  • Curcumin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Flavanones / adverse effects
  • Flavanones / therapeutic use
  • Genistein / adverse effects
  • Genistein / therapeutic use
  • Ginsenosides / adverse effects
  • Ginsenosides / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medicine, Traditional / adverse effects*
  • Medicine, Traditional / methods*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Mice
  • Momordica charantia / adverse effects
  • Phytotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Plant Preparations / adverse effects
  • Plant Preparations / therapeutic use
  • Prevalence
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Rats
  • Resveratrol
  • Stilbenes / adverse effects
  • Stilbenes / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Flavanones
  • Ginsenosides
  • Plant Preparations
  • Stilbenes
  • Berberine
  • Genistein
  • naringenin
  • Curcumin
  • Resveratrol