SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE POTENTIAL EFFECT OF Passiflora edulis ON DIABETES MELLITUS
Passifloraceae; passion fruit; Diabetes mellitus; antidiabetic.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a highly prevalent metabolic disorder worldwide with hyperglycemia as a predominant factor caused by a deficiency in the production and use of insulin. This chronic excess of glycemia affects several target organs, such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Antidiabetic drugs, however, have some limitations, such as loss of efficacy and side effects. In this sense, the species Passiflora edulis, popularly known as passion fruit, stands out, as its leaves are traditionally used for their calming and sedative effects, but more recent studies have investigated its antidiabetic potential. Brazil is the world's largest producer of passion fruit. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the potential of P. edulis on DM based on preclinical evidence from in vivo studies. This systematic review was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA guide, using a structured search on the PubMed-Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase platforms. Studies that used P. edulis in preclinical animal models to investigate its effects on DM were selected. Bias analysis and methodological quality assessment were performed using the SYRCLE RoB tool. The study was registered on the PROSPERO platform under registration number CRD42023472406. The P. edulis species has shown promising effects on DM. Of the 21 articles selected, 17 highlighted the antiglycemic capacity of the species, 9 reported an improvement in the lipid profile and 8 reported antioxidant activity. The fruit was used in 15 studies, with emphasis on the peels (10 studies). In addition, the bias analysis showed a low risk of bias, making the evidence included in the study reliable. All studies used the oral route of administration. The results indicate that the fruit peels are the most efficient part of P. edulis in the treatment of diabetes, more specifically its aqueous extract rich in compounds such as pectin, phenols and flavonoids appear to play a key role in the antidiabetic effect. The results of this analysis indicate the potential of using passion fruit peels, considered an industrial waste, as a source of sustainable raw material with high added value in the development of new health products.