Atividade antidiabética e efeitos fisiológicos associados aos β-glucanos presentes em Rhynchelytrum repens

Abstract

Several plants are popularly used in the control of diseases, including diabetes mellitus. Recently, studies showed the anti diabetic activity of the capim-favorito (Rhynchelytrum repens), attributed to the presence of β-glucans, soluble polysaccharides constituents of cell walls found in grass, grains and fungi. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the physiological effects of β-glucans, particularly on the hypoglycemic activity of R. repens, by searching through related studies from databases of indexed articles, available online. β-glucans show antitumor, immunomodulating, antiviral, antimicrobial, antiparasite, anticoagulant, healing, hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic activity, increasing the insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. This latter effect has been related to the property of these polysaccharides to induce high viscosity in solution, producing a gelatinous layer that reduces the intestinal absorption of sugar. Because β-glucans are soluble fiber, their ingestion is related to feeling of satiety and weight loss due to delay in gastric emptying. Despite the reduction in blood glucose caused by the extraction of this grass, its use as medicine still depends on further research to clarify its actions in the organism and tests that could indicate possible side effects and toxicity degree.