Anti-Inflammatory Traditional Remedies for Diabetes Management: an Ethnopharmacological Perspective

Chronic low-grade inflammation is recognized as a component associated with insulin resistance and the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In parallel, traditional medical systems have documented the use of plant-based preparations for conditions described in terms such as metabolic imbalance or “sugar disease.” These practices span multiple geographical regions and medical traditions, including Asian, African, Middle Eastern, European, and Indigenous American contexts.Ethnopharmacological research focuses on these plant-based practices rather than on isolated disease categories, documenting plant use, preparation methods, and therapeutic applications. Many of the plants used in these contexts contain compounds with reported anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects, although their mechanisms of action are not always characterized within current pharmacological models.This Research Topic examines traditional remedies used in the context of diabetes through an anti-inflammatory framework. It brings together ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological, and analytical approaches to study relationships between plant use, chemical composition, inflammatory pathways, and metabolic outcomes. Preparation methods, including decoction, infusion, and multi-component formulations, are considered relevant variables influencing chemical profiles and biological activity.We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives addressing topics including, but not limited to:Ethnopharmacological documentation of plants used for diabetes-related conditions and associated inflammatory statesAnalytical characterization of plant materials and traditional preparationsEffects of preparation methods on chemical composition and bioactivityExperimental studies on inflammatory processes relevant to T2D, including cytokine regulation, oxidative stress, and insulin signaling pathwaysPharmacological evaluation of plant extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds in relation to glucose metabolism and inflammationStudies using in vitro and in vivo models to examine links between inflammatory modulation and metabolic parametersSafety assessment, including toxicology, dose–response relationships, and herb–drug interactionsReviews addressing the relationship between traditional medical systems and current models of metabolic and inflammatory processesSubmissions employing interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged, particularly those integrating ethnobotanical documentation with chemical and biological analysis. All manuscripts must follow established standards in ethnopharmacology, including accurate identification of plant material, deposition of voucher specimens, and transparent reporting of preparation and extraction procedures. Clear acknowledgement of knowledge sources is required.Manuscripts must comply with the ConPhyMP guidelines and the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology. Authors are encouraged to assess their submissions against these standards prior to submission. Topic editors: Sonia Marlen Escandón-Rivera, Idowu Oyeleye, Sanah Malomile Nkadimeng Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80297/anti-inflammatory-traditional-remedies-for-diabetes-management-an-ethnopharmacological-perspective