Isolation and Characterization of Organic Compounds from Medicinal Plants Infusions and Crude Extracts used for Diabetes Type II in Puerto Rico

      Diabetes Mellitus is an endocrine disorder caused by a deficiency of insulin (pancreatic hormone which sends a signal to cells for the uptake and storage of glucose) or a decreased response to insulin in target tissues. There are 2 types of diabetes, with different causes but each is marked by high-blood glucose, effect that is known as hyperglycemia. Diabetes Type II is characterized by deficiency of insulin or reduced responsiveness of target cells due to some change in insulin receptors, shortly known as insulin resistance. Some consequences are decreased glucose uptake by muscle, and storage by liver. It is hereditary, but excess body weight and lack of exercise increases the risk. 90% of diabetics have diabetes type II, and is often seen in people over 40 years of age and people who are overweight (who could be young people). Diabetes type II is treated with regular exercise (it obligates the body to use glucose by using the body’s energy), a healthy diet (where the consumption of glucose is limited), and when these two in combination are insufficient, then there is need of drug therapy, and another alternative is the phytotherapy.