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Preclinical evidence of the efficacy of cucurbita plants in diabetes management: a systematic review

Article scientifique 2025 Anglais

Résumé

Diabetes mellitus (DM) remains a major global health problem and particularly in low to middle income countries both because of the increasing prevalence and as a result of lack of access to affordable and effective treatment. Given the limitations of current pharmacological treatments, such as side effects and poor compliance, there is increasing interest in natural plant-derived alternatives. This systematic review explores the anti-diabetic potential of Cucurbita species, members of the Cucurbitaceae family, which have demonstrated promising hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and insulinotropic activities in preclinical models. Following PRISMA 2020 criteria, a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified 16 eligible preclinical studies published between 2016 and 2025 that met strict inclusion criteria. Extracts from Cucurbita maxima, C. moschata, C. ficifolia, and C. pepo were shown to significantly reduce blood glucose concentrations, enhance antioxidant enzyme activity, promote pancreatic β-cell regeneration, and improve lipid profiles in diabetic animal models. These effects were predominantly observed following oral administration, reflecting traditional usage patterns and supporting clinical translatability. The geographically diverse research landscape underscores the global ethnobotanical relevance of Cucurbita species as complementary or alternative treatments for DM. However, the review also highlights gaps in the research, including the need for further pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and clinical studies to validate the efficacy and safety of these botanicals and to inform the development of standardized phytotherapeutic interventions. Overall, Cucurbita plants present a compelling case for further investigation as adjunct or alternative treatments for diabetes mellitus.

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Mitaki, N., Fasogbon, I., Oviosun, A., Mong’are, S., Musyoka, A., Ojiakor, V., Terkimbi, S., Agu, P., Makena, W., Siida, R., Mitaki, E., Usman, I., Alum, E., Uti, D., Aja, L., Noreen, S., Shinkafi, T., Shehu, D., Mounmbegna, P., Aja, P. (2025). Preclinical evidence of the efficacy of cucurbita plants in diabetes management: a systematic review. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.166533.1

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Auteur(s)

Nancy B. Mitaki Ilemobayo Victor Fasogbon Augustine Oviosun Samuel Mong’are Angela Mumbua Musyoka Vivian Onyinye Ojiakor Swase Dominic Terkimbi Peter Chinedu Agu Wusa Makena Robert Siida Elizabeth Mitaki Ibe Michael Usman Esther Ugo Alum Daniel Ejim Uti Lucy Aja Sana Noreen Tijjani Salihu Shinkafi Dayyabu Shehu Philippe Mounmbegna Patrick Maduabuchi Aja

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