Integrating Medicinal Chemistry and Traditional Herbal Medicine in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or both, leading to hyperglycemia and long-term complications. While modern pharmacotherapy has achieved significant progress in diabetes management, the limitations of drug cost, side effects, and accessibility highlight the importance of complementary approaches. Traditional herbal medicine has long been employed for glycemic control, and medicinal chemistry provides a valuable framework to explore bioactive compounds, mechanisms, and structural modifications for drug development. This paper examines how integrating medicinal chemistry with traditional herbal practices can contribute to more effective, sustainable, and affordable therapeutic options for diabetes management. Through structural elucidation, synthesis, and optimization of plant-derived molecules such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, researchers can enhance pharmacological efficacy and reduce toxicity. The integration of these two domains bridges traditional wisdom and modern science, offering a pathway toward novel drug discovery and holistic diabetes care.