Artículos de Revista en Ciencias Médicas · 2026

Low-toxicity aqueous and ethanolic extracts of stevia rebaudiana bertoni increase glucose uptake and modulate lipid metabolism and inflammation in key metabolic cell models of obesity and type 2 diabetes

Obesity is a chronic disease that leads to an increased risk for insulin resistance and diabetes, increasing the risk of mortality and morbidity. Natural sweeteners are an alternative in energy management reducing calorie intake. In this work, we have evaluated the bioactivity of extracts of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni grown in the department of Antioquia, Colombia. Adipocytes, hepatocytes, myocytes, macrophages, and pancreatic cells, key cellular models involved in development of obesity and diabetes, were used to show that ethanolic and aqueous extracts of this plant have the advantage of low toxicity and reduce triglyceride content in hepatocytes and adipocytes, modulating the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and adipogenesis. These extracts also increase glucose uptake in both insulin resistant and non-resistant muscle cells and present anti-inflammatory properties in the macrophage model. The range of biological activities demonstrated in vitro indicates that Stevia, beyond its natural sweetness, may improve metabolic disorders associated with obesity and T2DM.