Abstract

Background: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a member of the CC chemokine family that plays a key role in the inflammatory process. It has been broadly studied in the aspect of its role in obesity and diabetes related diseases. MCP-1 causes the infiltration of macrophages into obese adipose tissue via binding to the CCR2 receptor and is involved in the development of insulin resistance.

Methods: We reviewed the available literature regarding the importance of plant metabolites that regulate MCP-1 activity and are used in the treatment of diabetic disorders. The characteristics of screened papers were described and the important findings were included in this review.

Results: This mini-review provides a summary of functions and therapeutic strategies of this chemokine, with a special focus on plant-derived compounds that possess a putative antidiabetic function via a mechanism of MCP-1 interaction. The highlights of this review include the roles of MCP-1 in development of diabetes, the evaluation of plant metabolites that specifically or non-specifically inhibit MCP-1 overproduction, and the molecular mechanisms of this activity. Among these metabolites, we particularly focused on phenolic acids and their derivatives, flavonoids, stilbenes, anthocyanins, capsaicin, alkaloids, plant sterols, terpenes, saponins, unsaturated fatty acids and plant-derived extracts.

Conclusion: Regarding the increasing number of diabetic patients yearly, the recent progress in the putative therapies needs to be summarized. This article underlines the significance and involvement of the chemokine MCP-1 in the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and diabetic complications, with an emphasis on the role of plant metabolites in the regulation of this chemokine and thus the role in the prevention or therapy of diabetes. We suggest that MCP-1 might be a molecular marker of type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), CCR2, plant extracts, plant metabolites.