Interindividual variability in diabetic patients’ response to opium poppy: an overview of impressive factors

Abstract

Diabetic patients always seek alternative treatments to lower their blood glucose level efficiently, because antidiabetic drugs produce adverse effects and many patients experience reduced response after a treatment period. Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is frequently consumed by diabetic patients for reduction of blood glucose level. Scientific studies found controversial results in the investigation of the blood glucose-lowering effects of opium poppy. In this regard, we explored the antidiabetic effect of opium poppy more closely. The antidiabetic or antihyperglycemic effect of P. somniferum alkaloids were reviewed. Next, opioid receptors and their role in diabetes were explored. In the final part origins of interindividual variabilities in opioid receptors and metabolizing enzymes’ functions including genetic and epigenetic factors were reviewed.

Keywords::

• diabetes
• epigenetics
• genetic polymorphism
• interindividual variability
• morphine
• opioid receptor
• opium
• Papaver somniferum
• personalized medicine
• pharmacogenetics

Author contributions

F Hendijani and FS Hosseini participate in all steps of study design, data collection and manuscript preparation.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was supported by Deputy of research, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences with the grant number 4000252. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Deputy of research, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences with the grant number 4000252. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.