Phytochemical Profiling of Medicinal Plants Used in Diabetes Management

Diabetes mellitus is a lasting disbolism that increases with global prevalence and substantial public health implications. Plant-based remedies provide a hopeful and sustainable approach to its management, especially in regions where ethnomedicinal practices are central to healthcare. This study analysed the phytochemical composition of five plants used in traditional medicine for treating diabetes: Gongronema latifolium, Mangifera indica, Vernonia amygdalina, Psidium guajava, and Carica papaya. Qualitative and chromatographic techniques identified key bioactive compounds. These includes alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, organic acids, and glucosides. Marked differences in phytochemical profiles were observed among the species. M. indica showed the highest alkaloid levels (51.181 g/100g), aligning with its known hypoglycemic activity, while G. latifolium and P. guajava contained elevated flavonoids of 30.117 g/100g and 31.728 g/100g respectively, that support antioxidant and insulin-sensitizing effects. V. amygdalina was notable for its rich phenolic (53.304g/100g) and glucoside content (37.203 g/100g), potentially explaining its frequent ethnomedicinal application. Organic acids predominated in G. latifolium and P. guajava at 37.832 g/100g and 34.716 g/100g, respectively. Results confirm the biochemical diversity of the studied plants and scientifically support the frequent use of V. amygdalina in glycaemic regulation. Overall, the findings indicate that these species harbour bioactive compounds that may influence major biological pathways in diabetes pathophysiology, including enzyme inhibition, oxidative stress attenuation, and insulin modulation, reinforcing the need for integrating phytochemical profiling with modern pharmacological research.