Anti-diabetic and Hypoglycemic Activities of Onion: A review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, action or both. Plants from the genus Allium, particularly onions (Allium cepa) have been consumed for their putative nutritional and health benefits for centuries. The studies indicated that Allium cepa is rich in organosulfur compounds, phenolic acids, flavonoids, thiosulfinates, and anthocyanins which were known to have hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic and antibacterial potentials, and antioxidant activity with beneficial effects on inflammatory conditions, diabetes mellitus and cancer prevention. In this review, we reviewed the antidiabetic and hypoglycemic properties of Onion. Several ingredients derived from these plants have chemical constituents that demonstrate anti-diabetic activity, thereby validating their importance for the management of diabetes.