Type 2 diabetes characterized by persistent hyperglycemia is a chronic disease, a global epidemic, and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The research on identifying effective bioactive ingredients in diet is a hot topic in treatment and prevention of diabetes. Plant-based diet have been widely reported to reduce the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Flavonoids, phenolics, and saponins are important secondary metabolites of plant-based diet. Besides, these compounds are widely used in chronic diseases that are characterised by oxidative stress, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the progression of diabetes. For example, quercetin, a natural flavonoid, has been widely reported to ameliorate hyperglycemia via reducing oxidative stress.

Despite the growing body of research on dietary bioactive compounds, several gaps that need to be addressed. Firstly, further investigations are necessary to extract and isolate anti-diabetes compounds using emerging extraction technologies and solvents. Additionally, dietary flavonoids, phenols and saponins have potential anti-diabetes effects, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Hence, conducting thorough investigations into the extraction and isolation of anti-diabetes compounds, the evaluation of pharmacological activities and the decipherment of mechanisms of these compounds in the management of type 2 diabetes is to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

This topic aims to explore the pharmacological effect (e.g. anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects and modulation of gut microbiota), mechanism of action, bioavailability of flavonoids, phenolics, and saponins in diet for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, so as to build a bridge between diet and disease treatment. Because many studies have proved that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is significantly lower in people who follow a series of plant-based diets. Plant-based diet can reduce the demand of patients for diabetes drugs by reducing weight, alleviating cardiovascular risk factors and improving insulin sensitivity. Therefore, this topic can make contributions to the use of diet to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes.

We welcome submissions (original research, review article) including but not limited to the following:
●Novel extraction and screening method for discovering bioactive flavonoids, phenolics, and saponins in food materials.
●Modification of bioactive flavonoids, phenols and saponins and their interaction with macromolecular polysaccharides and proteins
●Bioactive flavonoids, phenols and saponins alleviate or prevent type 2 diabetes through gut microbiota and their metabolomes
●Pharmacological effect and new mechanism of flavonoids, phenolics, and saponins in inhibiting type 2 diabetes and related complications.
●Dietary prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes using food-derived flavonoids, phenolics, and saponins.
●Synergic effects and molecular mechanism of flavonoids, phenolics, and saponins for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.
●ADME of food-derived flavonoids, phenolics, and saponins in diabetes models.

Important notes for submissions to this research topic:
- Critically evaluating the pharmacokinetic properties of flavonoids, phenolics and saponins (primarily on their limited absorption, plasma concentrations achieved and extrapolation of in vitro-in vivo data from the perspective of the concentrations used)
- Using validated animal models and avoiding in vitro cellular data
- Mechanistic explanation of the pharmacodynamic effects of individual natural substances: flavonoids, phenolics and saponins (not mixtures or extracts)
-Exploring the advantages or limits of natural substances compared to current therapy using validated animal model and cellular model.

Impact

Frontiers in Nutrition

Nutrition and Metabolism

Food Chemistry

Participating Journals

Frontiers in Pharmacology

Drug Metabolism and Transport

Ethnopharmacology