# Therapeutic Potential of Acalypha wilkesiana in Type 2 Diabetes: A Review

## TL;DR

This review explores how Acalypha wilkesiana, a medicinal plant, may help treat type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar and protecting organs.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of Acalypha wilkesiana's antidiabetic potential and mechanisms, highlighting its potency and safety.

## Key findings

- Ethanolic root bark extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana show greater α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition than acarbose.
- The plant's leaves have no harmful effects on red blood cells and can restore pancreatic and spleen cell function in diabetic rabbits.
- Acalypha wilkesiana shows promise as a safer and more effective antihyperglycemic agent compared to synthetic drugs.

## Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) refers to a chronic metabolic disorder that results from insulin resistance, leading to impaired insulin action and uncontrolled plasma glucose levels. Acalypha wilkesiana is among medicinal plants that are ethnobotanically used in the management of T2DM. However, there is a paucity of information on its antidiabetic potential. This review is aimed at providing a current understanding of the mechanism of action, potency, and safety of Acalypha wilkesiana in T2DM therapy.

A narrative review was thoroughly conducted by searching Google Scholar and PubMed databases using a predefined combination of keywords. All gathered articles were reviewed for the content regarding T2DM, Acalypha wilkesiana, mechanism of action, and safety. A total of 44 articles were considered in this review.

Several experimental studies revealed that extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase, which normally break down carbohydrates postprandially. Notably, the ethanolic root bark extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana have shown lower inhibitory concentrations compared to those of both the plant extracts in other solvents and the acarbose drug, emphasizing its greater potency. Additionally, the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana have been reported to have no harmful effects on the red blood cells of diabetic rabbits and can even restore the alloxan-induced impairment of pancreas and spleen cells.

Acalypha wilkesiana demonstrates antihyperglycemic activity and can reverse the dysfunction of critical organs. It promises advances in the development of antihyperglycemic agents which are more efficacious and safer than synthetic agents. However, clinical trials should be conducted to establish human-tailored doses, ensuring an improved safety profile of the plant in the treatment of T2DM.