New Insights into the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 6799
Special Issue Editor
Interests: plant environment interactions; epigenomics; stress memory; medicinal plants; nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Metabolic dysfunction, also known as metabolic disorder, is the condition characterized by altered ability to metabolize and distribute various nutrients. It is frequently a consequence of high caloric intake and consumption of a diet with high sugar/high fat. Metabolic dysfunction often leads to obesity and contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) as well as to hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Recent studies show that over 300 million people are affected by these diseases. While genetic predisposition to the development of these conditions is evident, the environment, in the form of poor diet choices, lack of exercise, and chronic stress, greatly contributes to these conditions. Treatment of such conditions should start with the changes in lifestyle and an increase in physical activity. Despite that, the drugs are often a treatment of choice because such an approach does not require major efforts from patients. Drugs like statins, controlling the production of cholesterol; metformin, lowering gluconeogenesis by the liver; semaglutide, dulaglutide, and tripeptide, all GLP-1 receptor agonists, are commonly prescribed for T2D and weight loss.
At the same time, there are many other potential molecular targets that can be acted upon to control T2D and metabolic syndrome, including improvement of health and prevention of dedifferentiation and apoptosis in beta cells. Many naturally derived compounds, including complex extracts from plants and fungi, are known to effectively control blood sugar, cholesterol, and metabolic dysfunction.
The aim of this Special Issue is to cover various pharmacological ways of coping with T2D and metabolic syndrome by targeting alternative molecular pathways. Of special interest would be research describing plant- and fungi-derived extracts effective in T2D and metabolic syndrome, with descriptions of molecular targets. We are also interested in papers describing synergistic effects of commonly used drugs and novel treatments of TD2 and metabolic syndrome. Finally, papers describing the role of genetic and epigenetic factors in the development and treatment of metabolic syndrome are also encouraged.
Prof. Dr. Igor Kovalchuk
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- metabolic dysfunction
- metabolic disorder
- diabetes
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