Related Studies on Eriodictyol in Regulating Blood Glucose Balance

Blood glucose balance is crucial for maintaining the normal physiological functions of the body, and its disorder is closely related to the occurrence and development of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. As a natural flavonoid compound, eriodictyol is widely present in natural products such as citrus fruits and medicinal plants, and has attracted attention in recent years due to its significant metabolic regulatory activity. This article reviews the role of eriodictyol in regulating blood glucose balance, including its impact on insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, gluconeogenesis, etc., and discusses its potential application in the prevention and auxiliary treatment of metabolic diseases, so as to provide a reference for the research of natural products in the field of blood glucose regulation.

Keywords: Eriodictyol; Blood glucose balance; Insulin sensitivity; Glucose metabolism; Metabolic diseases

1. Introduction

The core of blood glucose balance is the dynamic stability of the body's uptake, utilization, and storage of glucose, which is coordinately regulated by various hormones such as insulin and glucagon. When the blood glucose regulation mechanism is disordered, it will lead to an increase in fasting blood glucose and greater fluctuations in postprandial blood glucose, which can develop into insulin resistance and even type 2 diabetes in the long term. Eriodictyol is a flavonoid compound, mainly present in the peels of citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges, as well as in plants such as honey and mint. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that eriodictyol has various biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic improvement effects, and has shown unique advantages especially in blood glucose regulation. Compared with traditional hypoglycemic drugs, it is derived from natural products, has high safety, and is suitable for long-term intervention.

2. Plant Sources and Physicochemical Properties of Eriodictyol

As an important member of the flavonoid family, eriodictyol is derived from plants of the genus Eriodictyon in the Lamiaceae family. The leaves of Eriodictyon californicum in this genus have a particularly high content of eriodictyol, which is a classic source of natural extraction. In addition, citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges also contain a certain amount of eriodictyol in their peels and pulps, but most of them exist in the form of glycoside conjugates, and specific treatments are required to release the free components. Eriodictyol has a typical tricyclic structure of flavonoids, and the phenolic hydroxyl groups and other functional groups in its molecule endow it with certain antioxidant activity. Compared with other flavonoids, the structural stability of eriodictyol makes it easier to retain its activity during extraction and processing, which creates favorable conditions for its subsequent research and application.

3. Basic Process of Blood Glucose Metabolism and Balance Mechanism

The maintenance of stable blood glucose in the human body is a dynamically regulated process involving the coordination of multiple organs and systems. Carbohydrates in food are decomposed into glucose by the digestive system and then transported to various parts of the body through the blood circulation to provide energy for cells. When blood glucose concentration rises, insulin secreted by the pancreas promotes glucose to enter cells for metabolism and promotes the conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver and muscles; when blood glucose concentration decreases, glycogen stored in the liver is decomposed into glucose and released into the blood, while insulin secretion decreases and glucagon and other blood glucose-raising hormones increase, jointly maintaining blood glucose fluctuations within the normal range. Once this balance mechanism is disrupted, it will lead to abnormal blood glucose metabolism. Long-term hyperglycemia will put cells in a state of glucotoxicity, affecting the normal functions of tissues and organs; while too low blood glucose will lead to insufficient energy supply, especially directly affecting brain function. Therefore, maintaining the dynamic balance of blood glucose is a key link to ensure human health and an important prerequisite for studying blood glucose-regulating substances.

4. Main Pathways of Eriodictyol in Blood Glucose Regulation

4.1 Improving Insulin-Related Functional Status

Insulin is the core hormone regulating blood glucose, and the normal exertion of its role affects blood glucose levels. Studies have found that eriodictyol can to a certain extent promote the maintenance of pancreatic β-cell function, which is conducive to the normal secretion of insulin. At the same time, it can improve the body's responsiveness to insulin and reduce the occurrence of insulin resistance. When cells become more sensitive to insulin, glucose can be taken up and utilized more efficiently, thereby avoiding excessive accumulation of glucose in the blood and reducing blood glucose.

4.2 Affecting Carbohydrate Metabolism Process

The digestion and absorption of carbohydrates is an important source of blood glucose elevation, and eriodictyol has a certain regulatory effect on this process. It can inhibit the activity of certain digestive enzymes in the intestine, delay the rate of carbohydrates being decomposed into glucose, and reduce the total amount of glucose entering the blood. This intervention in carbohydrate metabolism can effectively reduce the peak of postprandial blood glucose, avoid sharp fluctuations in blood glucose, and help maintain stable blood glucose control.

4.3 Exerting Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in the body are closely related to abnormal blood glucose metabolism. Eriodictyol has certain antioxidant capacity, which can scavenge excessive reactive oxygen species in the body, reduce the damage of oxidative stress to islet cells and vascular tissues. At the same time, it can inhibit the production of inflammatory factors, alleviate chronic inflammatory reactions, improve the metabolic environment, and indirectly promote the maintenance of blood glucose balance. This multi-pathway mode of action reflects the comprehensive value of eriodictyol in blood glucose regulation.

5. Research Progress of Eriodictyol in Regulating Blood Glucose

Researchers observed the intervention effect of eriodictyol by constructing diabetic models. The results showed that the blood glucose level of experimental animals fed with eriodictyol was significantly lower than that of the control group, the insulin resistance index was improved, and metabolic indicators such as blood lipids also showed positive changes. In cell experiments, eriodictyol can protect pancreatic β-cells from damage and maintain their function of secreting insulin. These research results provide preliminary evidence for the blood glucose-regulating effect of eriodictyol. In addition, in some small-scale intervention studies, after subjects took extracts containing eriodictyol, the increase in postprandial blood glucose was slowed down, and the insulin sensitivity index showed a tendency to improve. However, these studies have limited sample sizes and short durations, and more large-scale, long-term clinical studies are needed to further verify their efficacy and safety.

6. Application Potential of Eriodictyol

Based on the blood glucose-regulating effect and natural properties of eriodictyol, it has certain development potential in the field of health foods and dietary supplements. Products with eriodictyol as a functional ingredient can provide auxiliary regulation for people with high blood glucose, those in the prediabetic stage, etc. Compared with chemically synthesized drugs, naturally derived eriodictyol has higher safety, is suitable for long-term use, and may play a positive role in preventing abnormal blood glucose metabolism. In addition, more research is needed to determine its long-term safety and dosage standards, which need to be gradually solved in future studies.

7. Summary and Outlook

As a natural flavonoid compound, eriodictyol has shown certain potential in regulating blood glucose balance through affecting insulin function, carbohydrate metabolism, and exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Experimental studies and preliminary clinical explorations provide support for its role. In the future, it is necessary to further strengthen the research on the mechanism of action of eriodictyol, clarify its metabolic pathways and targets in the body; carry out more rigorously designed clinical studies to determine its effective dosage and applicable population; and optimize extraction and preparation technologies to improve its bioavailability and stability. With the deepening of research, eriodictyol is expected to play a greater role in the field of blood glucose management and provide new intervention options for metabolic health.

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