The role of resveratrol in diabetes and obesity associated with insulin resistance

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a significant health problem that is caused by chronic hyperglycaemia as a result of inadequate insulin production or ineffective insulin action in the body. In recent years, many new pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies have been developed for improving pancreatic insulin secretion and insulin resistance. Resveratrol is a natural and biologically active stilbenoid polyphenol present in various plant species and has the potential to benefit diabetes. The anti-diabetic actions of resveratrol have also been extensively studied in diabetic human and animal models. Moreover, resveratrol might affect insulin sensitivity by regulating visceral fat derivated adipokine levels. The use of resveratrol in combination with anti-diabetic therapies or alone may have significant potential for the management of diabetes mellitus. This review provides an overview of the anti-diabetic action of resveratrol as well as the possible mechanisms that have an effect on insulin secretion and insulin resistance in diabetics.

Keywords:

• Resveratrol
• diabetes
• insulin
• glucose
• adipokine

Disclosure statement

No potential competing interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

M. H., E. B. and H. S. V. designed and wrote the initial draft of the manuscript. E. B. and H. S. V. coordinated and managed the manuscript. M. H. performed the literature review and composed the manuscript. E. B. and H. S. V. critically reviewed, edited and interpreted the manuscript. M. H., E. B. and H. S. V. read and revised the whole manuscript critically and approved the submitted manuscript.

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.