Molecular target
Insulin Receptor
Tyrosine-kinase receptor mediating glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis, lipogenesis, and growth signaling. Activated by endogenous insulin and synthetic insulins (rapid-acting, basal, mixed). Some plant compounds (cinnamon polyphenols, fenugreek 4-hydroxyisoleucine) have insulin-mimetic or insulin-sensitizing activity downstream of the receptor.
Educational use only. This page summarizes published research and traditional-use records for educational purposes. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not start, stop, or change medications based on this information. Discuss any decisions about therapies — pharmaceutical or botanical — with a qualified clinician who knows your medical history.
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Pharmaceutical agents
Drugs that act on Insulin Receptor
These medications have Insulin Receptor among their molecular targets. Sharing a target is a mechanistic relationship — it does not make any plant below an alternative to, or substitute for, these drugs.
Botanical connections
Plants whose compounds act on Insulin Receptor
Each plant below contains a named compound documented to act on Insulin Receptor. The compound and the reason for the connection are shown on every edge — a shared mechanism, not a therapeutic equivalence.
- Polypeptide-pInsulin-mimetic peptide
Structural homology with insulin; preclinical data suggest binding at insulin receptor; direct clinical evidence limited.
- Procyanidin-type A polymersCondensed tannin / polyphenol
Preclinical studies suggest these polyphenols may enhance insulin receptor signalling, activate PPAR-γ, and upregulate AMPK, investigated as mechanistic underpinning of reported glucose-lowering effects.
- PMI-5011 polyphenol complex (incl. DMC-2)Polyphenol / dihydrochalcone
In vitro and animal studies report that the PMI-5011 ethanolic extract and its constituent DMC-2 may improve insulin sensitivity via AMPK activation and PPAR-γ modulation; mechanisms were investigated in C57BL/6 mouse models and corroborated in a small human RCT.
- BerberineIsoquinoline alkaloid
Studies report berberine activates AMPK (sharing mechanistic overlap with metformin), may modulate insulin receptor signaling, and has been reported to suppress NF-κB-mediated inflammatory and pro-proliferative pathways in preclinical models. Effects on the GH/IGF-1 somatotropic axis reported in a veterinary study.