Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) leaves: an emerging source of compounds for diabetes management

HONORE SM; GENTA SB; SANCHEZ SS

Journal of Research in Biology

www.jresearchbiology.com

Año: 2015 p. 21 - 42

2231-6280

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that develops mainly due to insulin deficiency or resistance to insulin action. All forms of diabetes are characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which has an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.&Endl.) H. Robinson (yacon) have been used since pre-Columbian times in the Andean region to prepare medicinal herbal tea with beneficial health properties. This review aims to discuss some key aspects related to the potential use of S. sonchifolius leaves and their natural biomolecules for the prophylaxis and treatment of diabetes as well as the potential mechanisms of action.