Author(s): Andréia Pequeno, Yendry Miranda, Gerardo Rodríguez, Víctor Valverde, Luis Álvarez, Tania Da Silva and Valdemiro Da Silva Junior

Abstract: Physalins are steroidal lactone constituents of physalis and other closely related genera that belong to the Solanaceae family. These secondary metabolites have attracted much attention in recent years due to their various biological effects: they are anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, antibacterial and anti-diabetic. Researchers have shown that physalins are potential inhibitors of NF-kB activation via inhibition of phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. Moreover, studies performed in a variety of cell and animal-based experimental systems suggest that NF-kB activation is a key event in the early pathobiology of diabetes. Therefore, these results indicate that physalins can be considered as a novel class of NF-kB inhibitors, which are promising as innovative anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders and diabetes. This review discusses current knowledge about physalins, and evidence of its effects on the modulation of NF-kB, as well as its implications for glucose homeostasis and the prevention and treatment of diabetes.