Therapeutic Potential of M. oleifera in Chronic Hyperglycemia
Glucose homeostasis
Glucose is a major fuel for animal cells. It is supplied to the organism through dietary carbohydrates and, endogenously, through hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. Glucose absorption from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) into blood is regulated by a variety of neuronal signals and enterohormones (incretins), as well as by meal composition and the intestinal flora. Glucose homeostasis reflects a balance between glucose supply and its utilization. Physiologically, this balance is determined by the level of circulating insulin and tissue responsiveness to it. Insulin is secreted by pancreatic islet β cells. It stimulates glucose uptake and utilization by tissues, especially by liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. It also suppresses gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes, while stimulating lipogenesis and inhibiting lipolysis in adipocytes (Gerich, 2000).