Chemo-profiling of eucalyptus and study of its hypoglycemic potential

Abstract

Constant escalations in the number of diabetics world-wide and the failure of conventional therapy to restore normoglycemia without adverse effects, in spite of tremendous strides in modern medicine, calls for naturopathy and alternative medicine. Because diabetes is multi-factorial and has secondary complications, prevention of hyperglycemia is the central dogma for its management. To date, no oral hypoglycemic exists which can achieve tight glycemic control without side effects. Dietary adjuncts, lifestyle interventions and a resurgence of interest in phyto-therapy have consequently gained ground. Natural hypoglycemics have attracted attention due to ease of incorporation in everyday diet, affordability, less adverse effects, and long term safety. Ethno botanical literature reports more than 800 anti-diabetic plants species. Eucalyptus is well represented in the Aboriginal Pharmacopoeias for its various pharmacological activities. Its hot aqueous decoction has been used as a hypoglycemic in various regions of world. This editorial attempts to summarize the data on the hypoglycemic potential of the different eucalyptus species, highlight the value of its natural biomolecules for the prophylaxis and treatment of type 2 diabetes, describe their mechanistic actions, shed light on the posology and safety aspects of eucalyptus and assess its applicability as a reinforcement to currently used therapy.

Keywords: Normoglycemia; Escalations; Eucalyptus; Central dogma; Dietary adjuncts; Aboriginal Pharmacopoeias; Natural biomolecules; Prophylaxis; Posology

Core tip: Eucalyptuses, indigenous to various countries of the world has been described in various Aboriginal, British and European Pharmacopoeias with its wide range of phytochemicals demonstrating a range of pharmacological effects including hypoglycemic action. The volatile and non-volatile constituents of Eucalyptus include terpenes and tri-terpenoids, flavonoids, flavanols, gallotannins, quercetin, euglobals, procyanidins, macro carpals. Pharmacopoeias have reported uses of hot eucalyptus leaf decoctions as tea to act as hypoglycemic agents. This editorial attempts to assess and highlight eucalyptus species with anti-diabetic potential and the probable biomolecules contributing to this along with their mechanistic role, as well as their posology and safety.