Anti-diabetic plants
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for over 44% of deaths and 80% of outpatient visits, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) being the most prevalent at 43%, followed by cardiovascular disease (CVD) at 40% (Marmot & Bell, 2019). Contributing factors to the rise in NCDs include sedentary lifestyles, rapid urbanization, poor dietary habits, and improvements in maternal and child health (Bigna & Noubiap, 2019). Additionally, pre-existing risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol consumption, and smoking also play a role (Deventer, 2019).
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reported that in 2021, 537 million adults aged 20-79 had diabetes globally, a number projected to rise to 642 million by 2045 (Katzmarzyk et al., 2022). Diabetes prevalence globally stands at 8.5%, meaning one in 11 adults has diabetes, with type 2 diabetes accounting for about 90% of cases (Drapkina et al., 2022). The remaining 10% consist of type 1 diabetes and other less common types. Diabetes disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, where about 80% of people with diabetes reside, with China, India, and the United States having the highest numbers (Fitipaldi & Franks, 2023).
In Africa, diabetes is becoming increasingly common, particularly in urban areas due to lifestyle changes. In 2021, Africa had 19.4 million diabetes cases, a number expected to reach 47 million by 2045 (Momma et al., 2022). Despite a lower overall prevalence of 3.3% compared to the global average of 8.5%, there are significant regional variations, with countries like Mauritius and Seychelles reporting rates as high as 20% (Armocida et al., 2022). In Africa, many cases go undiagnosed or untreated, leading to complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and amputations, making access to education and treatment critical (Khan et al., 2012).
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), comprising 5–10% of diabetes cases, is primarily caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells (Munekawa, 2021). If left untreated, T1DM can result in ketoacidosis (Subir, 2020). Genetic factors contribute to about one-third of T1DM cases, while environmental factors account for two-thirds. A mild form of autoimmune-mediated T1DM (latent autoimmune diabetes of adults, LADA) affects up to 15% of type 2 diabetes cases in Northern European populations (Wang et al., 2022). Environmental factors, such as migration to the Northern Hemisphere, support the involvement of environmental triggers in T1DM development (Aminian, 2019).
In South Korea, diabetes prevalence has significantly increased. Between 2006 and 2018, the number of diabetic adults over 30 years old more than doubled from 2.23 million to 4.94 million (Saeedi, 2020). Alarmingly, diabetes is increasingly affecting younger age groups, with a 51.4% rise in cases among people in their 20s from 2016 to 2020 (Sinclair, 2020). Poor blood sugar control in younger patients, along with severe insulin resistance and pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction, makes diabetes more challenging to manage in this age group (Boulton, 2020). Environmental factors like sedentary lifestyles, smoking, obesity, and unhealthy dietary habits are major contributors to the diabetes rise among younger people (Atlas, 2015).
In Kenya, diabetes prevalence was estimated at 2.2% in 2021, affecting approximately 840,000 people (Barasa & Mmusi, 2021). Similarly, in Uganda, the prevalence was estimated at 1.5%, with 620,000 people affected (Ssekamatte et al., 2021). Both countries are expected to see increases in diabetes cases due to economic development and lifestyle changes. Addressing these issues through education, screening, and improved healthcare access is essential for managing diabetes in Africa.
Medicinal plants such as Plectranthus cyaneus, Aspilia africana, and Eucalyptus globulus are traditionally used for treating diabetes and other ailments. Research shows that these plants may offer therapeutic benefits, but further studies are required to confirm their efficacy in humans and ensure safe usage.
