A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON ANTIDIABETIC POTENTIAL OF ABIES WEBBIANA LINDL.

Abstract

The rise in the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) around the world highlights the critical need for non-synthetic therapy options that are safe, inexpensive, and capable of targeting multiple targets. The Himalayan medicinal conifer Talisastra, or Abies webbiana, has a long tradition of usage in Ayurvedic treatment of respiratory and metabolic diseases, and currently it has the potential to be a natural anti-diabetic. The phytochemical characteristics, pharmacological processes, and translational potential of this compound are examined in this detailed review. Studies from phytochemical studies show that the plant contains bioactive terpenoids (abienol, limonene, and camphene), flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), and phenolics (gallic and caffeic acids) that have significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and enzyme-inhibitory effects. A study conducted in both experimental environments and computational models shows that the α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and DPP-IV enzymes are inhibited, insulin sensitivity is enhanced through the PI3K/Akt and AMPK pathways, and pancreatic β-cells are protected from oxidative stress. Network pharmacology and molecular docking have verified interactions with multiple targets, including important metabolic regulators such as PPARγ, AKT1, NF-κB, and SIRT1. The effects of reducing glucose, normalising lipids, and protecting tissues are further supported by in vivo animal models. However, there is a dearth of evidence on toxicity, absorption, and pharmacokinetics, which limits its application in clinical settings. These restrictions could be solved by integrating delivery systems based on nanotechnology with autonomous screening. The transition of A. webbiana from an ethnomedical practice to a treatment based on scientific data requires standardisation, safety profiling, and clinical validation. Collectively, the data presented here indicate that A. webbiana represents a promising botanical candidate for future generations of phytopharmaceuticals used to treat diabetes.