Journal of Primeasia

Integrative Disciplinary Research | Online ISSN 3064-9870 | Print ISSN 3069-4353
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Gynura procumbens as a Multi-Target Phytotherapeutic Candidate for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Phytochemistry, Mechanisms, Preclinical Evidence, and Translational Prospects

Bulbul Shaikat1, Tahsin Bin Rabbani1, MD. Bedarul Islam Pranto1, Md. Abul Kashem Tang1*

+ Author Affiliations

Journal of Primeasia 7 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/primeasia.7110692

Submitted: 03 November 2025 Revised: 07 January 2026  Published: 12 January 2026 


Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains a growing global health challenge, not only because of persistent hyperglycemia, but because of its wider metabolic, vascular, inflammatory, and organ-level consequences. Although conventional antidiabetic drugs have improved glycemic management, their long-term use is often limited by cost, tolerability issues, adverse effects, and incomplete metabolic control. In this context, medicinal plants continue to attract renewed scientific attention as potential multi-target therapeutic resources. Among them, Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr., commonly known as “longevity spinach,” has emerged as a particularly promising candidate. This review critically synthesizes the current evidence regarding the antidiabetic potential of G. procumbens, with emphasis on its botanical background, ethnomedicinal relevance, phytochemical composition, proposed mechanisms of action, preclinical efficacy, and toxicological profile. Available evidence indicates that the plant contains several biologically active compounds—including astragalin, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, and rutin—which may contribute to glucose regulation through improvements in insulin sensitivity, hepatic carbohydrate metabolism, antioxidant defense, inflammatory modulation, and pancreatic β-cell protection. In vitro and in vivo studies consistently suggest favorable effects on fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, glycogen storage, oxidative stress, and metabolic signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, AMPK, GLUT4, and GSK-3β. Nevertheless, despite encouraging preclinical findings, the current evidence remains limited by methodological heterogeneity, insufficient standardization, and the absence of well-designed human clinical trials. Overall, G. procumbens appears to be a biologically plausible and pharmacologically relevant medicinal plant with meaningful translational potential in diabetes research, although further clinical and mechanistic validation remains essential.

Keywords: Gynura procumbens, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Medicinal plants, Phytochemicals, Insulin resistanceSignificance:This review highlights Gynura procumbens as a promising multi-target antidiabetic medicinal plant with translational potential for safer future diabetes management.

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