There is an insistent need for safer and more sustainable plant-based treatments because of the rising incidence of diabetes and the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. A traditional medicinal plant, Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea) has drawn more scientific attention because of its abundance of bioactive substances, especially flavonoids and anthocyanins. Its dual medicinal potential as an antimicrobial and antidiabetic agent is supported by these phytochemicals.
The primary mechanism by which C. ternatea reduces postprandial hyperglycemia and improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes is by inhibiting enzymes that hydrolyze carbohydrates, such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Furthermore, its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties provide additional defense against complications linked to diabetes.
In addition to its ability to regulate metabolism, C. ternatea has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, and it shows Promising impact in combating drug-resistant pathogens. Multiple mechanisms, such as membrane disruption and inhibition of microbial metabolic pathways, mediate these antimicrobial effects. Together, the available data suggests that C. ternatea is a multipurpose botanical medication candidate that may be able to address two urgent global health issues: diabetes and antibiotic resistance. Transforming this age-old cure into contemporary therapeutic uses will require future studies that concentrate on the isolation of bioactive compounds, their mechanistic understanding, and its clinical validation.
