Apart from its extensive application in liver and gallbladder problems milk thistle has garnered interest lately because of its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic characteristics. Silymarin, the active component of milk thistle extract, works by raising insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar levels. Silymarin is primarily an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Thiazolidinediones are insulin sensitizers used clinically to reduce blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes; its molecular target is PPARγ.

Conversely, clinical investigations have also looked at the effect of olive leaf extract on blood sugar levels. According to research, it may increase insulin production by the pancreas by 28% while also increasing insulin receptor sensitivity by 15%!