{
  "abstract": "Postprandial hyperglycemia can be modified before absorbed glucose reaches the circulation. Plant-derived compounds may slow starch hydrolysis through α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidases, stimulate glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) release, or preserve incretin activity through dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibition. This critical narrative review integrates these mechanisms around intestinal exposure, substrate selectivity, and human evidence. Flavonoids show structure-dependent and time-dependent inhibition of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes, but results vary markedly between yeast, rodent, and human enzyme systems. Iminosugar-rich mulberry preparations and thiosugar-containing Salacia extracts provide the strongest chemistry-to-clinic examples, including randomized trials that reduced postprandial glucose or HbA1c. Preclinical studies suggest that berberine may link bitter-taste-receptor-mediated GLP-1 secretion with local intestinal DPP-4 effects, whereas mangiferin, flavonol glycosides, anthocyanins, and food-derived peptides remain supported mainly by preclinical studies. In vitro potency alone is insufficient: meal composition, enzyme source, luminal concentration, metabolism, product standardization, gastrointestinal tolerance, and incretin measurements determine translational value. Candidate prioritization requires defined chemistry, achievable exposure, and product-specific human validation; acute effects do not establish durable benefit or human target engagement.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.",
    "Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.",
    "Research Methodology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.",
    "Drug Research Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.",
    "Department of Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.",
    "Faculty of Medical and Behavioral Sciences, Constantin Brâncuși University of Târgu Jiu, 210185 Târgu Jiu, Romania.",
    "Department of Intensive Care and Anesthesia, Emergency County Hospital, 200642 Craiova, Romania.",
    "Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania."
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Pirscoveanu Denisa Floriana Vasilica"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Diana-Maria Trasca"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Adina Maria Kamal"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Renata Maria Varut"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Romeo Popa",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-3250-0312"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Pluta Ion Dorin"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Dirnu Rodica"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "Maria Stoica"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Coanca Staicu Cristina Teodora"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        7
      ],
      "name": "George-Alin Stoica"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a6321a0929ewv.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/ph19101546",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13708452",
  "id": "a6321a0929ewv",
  "issns": [
    "1424-8247"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42943244",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2712|Natural Antidiabetic Agents Studies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214971850",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13708452?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13708452",
  "pmid": "42943244",
  "published": "2026-09-30",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a6321a0929ewv.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:22:24Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42943244",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42943244"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2712|Natural Antidiabetic Agents Studies",
      "subfield": "endocrinology-metabolism"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Plant-Derived Control of Postprandial Glycemia: α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase, and the Incretin-DPP-4 Interface.",
  "title_text": "Plant-Derived Control of Postprandial Glycemia: α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase, and the Incretin-DPP-4 Interface.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:22:24Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a6321a0929ewv",
  "venue": "Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)",
  "versions": []
}