A Review on In-Silico Comparison of Synthetic and Natural Anti-Diabetic Agents Targetting Key Enzymes in Glucose Regulation

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by impaired insulin secretion or action, leading to hyperglycemia and associated complications. The present review focuses on a comparative docking analysis of synthetic and natural antidiabetic agents to evaluate their binding efficiency and potential mechanisms of action. Synthetic oral hypoglycemic agents were compared with bioactive phytoconstituents from certain medicinal plants. Molecular docking studies revealed that most natural compounds exhibited binding affinities comparable to or exceeding those of standard drugs. Key interactions were observed with major diabetic targets such as AMPK, PPAR-γ, α-glucosidase, DPP-4, and SGLT2, indicating multitarget modulation. Synthetic drugs displayed specific target interactions, while phytoconstituents demonstrated broader mechanistic actions. The review highlights the therapeutic potential of plant-derived molecules as promising lead compounds for developing safer and more effective anti-diabetic agents through rational drug design and hybridization strategies.