Title:Antidiabetic Effects of Genistein: Mechanism of Action
Volume: 23
Issue: 13
Author(s): Ebrahim Abbasi and Iraj Khodadadi*
Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Keywords:
Genistein, diabetes, isoflavone, herbal medicine, antidiabetic effects, insulin.
Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease recognized by abnormal glucose level due to defects
in insulin action, insulin secretion, or both. Administration of soybean and isoflavones are accompanied
by a lower risk of diabetes. The present review analyzed the previous published papers related to genistein.
This isoflavone, which has been used for the prevention of some chronic diseases can inhibit hepatic
glucose production, increase β-cell proliferation, reduce β-cell apoptosis, and show potential antioxidant
and anti-diabetic effects. Therefore, genistein may be useful in the management of diabetes. The beneficial
effects of this isoflavone on metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer
have been reported in animal and human studies. Moreover, genistein reduces hepatic glucose production,
normalizes hyperglycemia, and gut microbiota and exhibits potential anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic,
and hypolipidemic effects. However, studies on the underlying mechanisms of the action of genistein are
very limited. Therefore, the present study reviews multifaceted aspects of genistein to reveal a possible
anti-diabetic mechanism of this agent. Genistein by regulating several signaling pathways can be used for
the prevention and management of diabetes.