title: Zingiber officinale and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Evidence from Experimental Studies.
abstract: Zingiber officinale is being used as diet-based therapy because of its wide therapeutic potential in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and against diabetic complications by directly interacting with different molecular and cellular pathways that provoke the pathogenesis of T2DM. This article explores the overall beneficial effects of Z. officinale on T2DM and its associated complications. Along with elucidating the beneficial facts of Z. officinale, this article may also aid in understanding the molecular basis of its effects in T2DM. The mechanistic rationale for antidiabetic effects of Z. officinale includes the inhibition of several transcriptional pathways, lipid peroxidation, carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, and HMG-CoA reductase and the activation of antioxidant enzyme capacity and low-density lipoprotein receptors. Consequently, by targeting these pathways, Z. officinale shows its antidiabetic therapeutic effects by increasing insulin sensitivity/synthesis, protecting β-cells of pancreatic islets, reducing fat accumulation, decreasing oxidative stress, and increasing glucose uptake by the tissues. In addition to these effects, Z. officinale also exhibits protective effects against several diabetes-linked complications, notably nephropathy and diabetic cataract, by acting as an antioxidant and antiglycating agent. In conclusion, this work suggests that consumption of Z. officinale can help to treat T2DM and diabetic complications; nevertheless, patient counseling also is required as a guiding force for the success of diet-based therapy in T2DM.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemical Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Sajid Hamid
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Akash
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemical Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Institute of Pharmacy, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Kanwal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemical Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tariq
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemical Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Shuqing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D020939:Zingiber officinale / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts