Glossary

Glossary

Plain-language definitions of the scientific terms used across this knowledge base. Technical terms elsewhere in the site link here automatically.

Research methods

Preclinical

Evidence from laboratory cells or animal models gathered before any testing in humans.

In vitro

Latin for "in glass": experiments done in test tubes, cell cultures or enzymes outside a living organism.

In vivo

Experiments performed in whole living organisms such as rats or mice.

Randomized controlled trial (RCT)

A human study in which participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups; the standard for efficacy claims.

Pharmacokinetics

How a substance is absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted by the body.

Bioavailability

The fraction of an ingested compound that reaches the bloodstream in active form.

Standardization

Controlling identity, marker compounds and potency so that every batch or dose is consistent.

Glucose & metabolism

Fasting glucose

Blood glucose after at least eight hours without food; a core screening value for diabetes.

Postprandial glucose

Blood glucose measured after a meal; post-meal spikes are central to diabetes control.

HbA1c

Glycated hemoglobin, reflecting average blood glucose over roughly the previous three months.

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood glucose, ranging from sweating and shaking to confusion and loss of consciousness.

Hyperglycemia

Abnormally high blood glucose, the defining feature of uncontrolled diabetes.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)

A wearable sensor that tracks glucose continuously throughout the day and night.

Molecular biology

GLUT4

A glucose transporter moved to muscle and fat cell membranes by insulin signaling; the key step of glucose uptake.

GLUT2

A glucose transporter in liver and pancreatic beta cells involved in glucose sensing.

IRS-1

Insulin receptor substrate 1: an intracellular protein that relays insulin signaling into the cell.

Glucokinase

The enzyme that phosphorylates glucose in liver and beta cells; a gatekeeper of glucose metabolism.

Glucose-6-phosphatase

A liver enzyme that releases free glucose into the blood; its activity raises blood glucose.

Enzymes

Alpha-amylase

Digestive enzyme that breaks starch into sugars; inhibiting it can slow carbohydrate absorption.

Alpha-glucosidase

Intestinal enzyme that completes carbohydrate digestion; inhibiting it blunts post-meal glucose spikes.

Plant chemistry

Phytochemistry

The branch of chemistry that studies compounds produced by plants.

Flavonoid

A large class of polyphenolic plant compounds - quercetin among them - often linked with antioxidant activity.

Triterpenoid

Plant compound built from six isoprene units, such as lupeol, with varied pharmacological activities.

Phytosterol

Plant sterols structurally similar to cholesterol; stigmasterol is one example.

Saponin

Soap-like plant glycosides with a wide range of reported biological effects.

Glycoside

A molecule carrying a sugar group; many drugs and natural toxins are glycosides.

DPPH / ABTS / FRAP

Common laboratory antioxidant assays measuring radical-scavenging or reducing power in vitro.

Medicine & botany

Urolithiasis

Formation of kidney stones; experimental models typically induce calcium oxalate crystals in rats.

Hepatoprotective

Liver-protecting; such claims need animal or clinical evidence rather than test-tube assays alone.

Herbarium voucher

A pressed, labeled plant specimen deposited in a permanent collection documenting identity.

Accepted name

The single currently correct botanical name under taxonomic rules: here Chamaecostus cuspidatus.

Synonym (botanical)

An alternative scientific name no longer accepted but still common in literature: Costus igneus.