**2.5 Phagopyritols**

Buckwheat grains contain a very rare D-*chiro*-inositol, which is mostly found in the form of phagopyritols [18]. Phagopyritols are mono-, di- and trigalactosyl derivatives of D- *chiro*-inositol and are called phagopyritol B1, B2, and B3. Phagopyritols A1, A2, and A3 have been identified as isomers of phagopyritols B1, B2, and B3 [83–85]. Phagopyritols are concentrated in aleurone and embryonic grain cells, with phagopyritol B1 (0.392 mg/g DM of integral common buckwheat semolina) being the most abundant. D-*chiro*-inositol, free form, is present in lower concentrations (0.21–0.42 mg/g DM) [18].

So far, several studies have described the role of D-*chiro*-inositol and phagopyritol as molecules that exhibit insulin-like activity [18, 86, 87]. In particular, D-*chiro*-inositol has attracted much interest due to its ability to lower glucose in animal models [88], and an important number of studies have shown that chemically synthesized D-*chiro*-inositol lowers elevated plasma glucose levels [89, 90]. Although no studies have been conducted to date to explore the effects of D-*chiro*inositol and phagopyritol in humans, these components may have positive effects in the treatment of diabetes. In animal models, D-*chiro*-inositol has been associated with a reduction in the symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus [16]. The potential of D-*chiro*-inositol in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome has been extensively investigated [57, 91–93].
