RESULTS: The search for new coumarins against diabetes and it complications, either isolated from traditional medicine or chemically synthesized, has been constantly expanding. The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved include protecting pancreatic beta cells from damage, improving abnormal insulin signalling, reducing oxidative stress/inflammation, activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), inhibiting α-glucosidases and ameliorating diabetic complications.
CONCLUSIONS: The effects and mechanisms of coumarins and their derivatives upon diabetes and its complications are discussed in current review. Further investigations remain to be carried out to develop a promising antidiabetic agent based on coumarin cores.