SABERES ANCESTRALES Y PLANTAS MEDICINALES EN LA DIABETES MELLITUS TIPO 2: UNA REVISIÓN INTEGRATIVA DE MECANISMOS BIOLÓGICOS, SEGURIDAD CLÍNICA Y CONTEXTO INTERCULTURAL
Authors/Creators
-
1.
Universidad Santiago de Cali
- 2. Facultad de Salud, Programa de Medicina, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali, Colombia
Description
Tipo de artículo: Artículo de revisión
La diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) constituye una enfermedad metabólica compleja caracterizada por resistencia a la insulina, alteraciones inmunometabólicas, inflamación crónica de bajo grado y progresión multisistémica. Paralelamente, las plantas medicinales continúan siendo utilizadas como parte de las estrategias de autocuidado en diferentes regiones de Colombia.
El objetivo de esta revisión fue analizar los saberes y prácticas asociados al uso de plantas medicinales en DM2, integrando evidencia sobre mecanismos biológicos, seguridad clínica y contexto intercultural.
Se realizó una revisión sistemática con enfoque integrativo siguiendo las recomendaciones PRISMA 2020. La búsqueda se efectuó en MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, LILACS, BVS, SciELO y literatura gris. Se identificaron 1.534 registros, de los cuales 22 estudios cumplieron los criterios de elegibilidad e ingresaron a la síntesis cualitativa. Los estudios incluidos documentaron el uso frecuente de sábila, canela, guayaba, nopal y otras especies empleadas como complemento del tratamiento convencional.
La evidencia clínica mostró efectos glucémicos modestos y heterogéneos, mientras que los estudios experimentales describieron mecanismos relacionados con inhibición de alfa-glucosidasas, modulación de la absorción intestinal de glucosa, actividad antioxidante y regulación de procesos metabólicos asociados a sensibilidad insulínica. También se identificaron limitaciones relacionadas con autenticación botánica, estandarización fitoquímica, control de calidad e interacciones potenciales con hipoglucemiantes.
En conjunto, la evidencia disponible respalda un papel complementario de determinadas plantas medicinales dentro del manejo integral de la DM2, aunque persisten limitaciones metodológicas que impiden establecer recomendaciones terapéuticas específicas. La integración de investigación etnobotánica, farmacológica y clínica constituye una prioridad para fortalecer la evaluación de eficacia, seguridad y aplicabilidad en contextos interculturales.
Abstract (English)
Article type: Review article
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, immunometabolic dysregulation, chronic low-grade inflammation, and progressive multisystem involvement. Concurrently, medicinal plants remain widely used as part of self-care strategies across different regions of Colombia.
The aim of this review was to analyze the knowledge systems and practices associated with the use of medicinal plants in T2DM, integrating evidence on biological mechanisms, clinical safety, and intercultural healthcare contexts.
A systematic review with an integrative approach was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The literature search was performed in MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, LILACS, BVS, SciELO, and gray literature sources. A total of 1,534 records were identified, of which 22 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The included studies documented the frequent use of Aloe vera, cinnamon, guava, nopal, and other plant species as complementary approaches to conventional diabetes management.
Clinical evidence demonstrated modest and heterogeneous glycemic effects, whereas experimental studies described mechanisms involving α-glucosidase inhibition, modulation of intestinal glucose absorption, antioxidant activity, and regulation of metabolic pathways associated with insulin sensitivity. Limitations related to botanical authentication, phytochemical standardization, quality control, and potential interactions with antidiabetic medications were also identified.
Overall, the available evidence supports a complementary role for selected medicinal plants within the comprehensive management of T2DM. However, significant methodological limitations persist, preventing the establishment of specific therapeutic recommendations. The integration of ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and clinical research remains essential to strengthen the evaluation of efficacy, safety, and applicability within intercultural healthcare settings.
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Additional details
Additional titles
- Translated title (English)
- ANCESTRAL KNOWLEDGE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW OF BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS, CLINICAL SAFETY, AND INTERCULTURAL CONTEXT
Dates
- Collected
-
2026-06-02manuscrito recibido
- Accepted
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2026-07-07evaluación doble ciego
- Available
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2026-07-29publicación en número de la revista
Software
- Repository URL
- https://revistacientificasanum.com/
References
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