Dietary aldose reductase inhibitors and prevention of diabetic complications

Abstract

Prolonged exposure to hyperglycemia can lead to the development of complications such as cataracts, retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy. Several mechanisms are supposed to be involved in this process such as increased aldose reductase (AR)-related polyol pathway, increased formation of advanced glycation end products, and excessive oxidation stress in the body. AR is the principal enzyme of the polyol pathway in the development of secondary complications of diabetes, and its inhibition provides a significant strategy to prevent these complications. Synthetic aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) have been developed, but they suffer drawbacks and safety issues demanding research on natural sources for potential ARIs. Many dietary substances and phytochemicals were reported as being good source of ARIs including Spinacia oleracea, Ocimum sanctum, Foeniculum vulgare, Momordica charantia, Cinamomum zeylencium, and Cuminum cyminum. This review was undertaken to provide an insight into the use of dietary ARIs for prevention, delay, or management of the secondary complications and to serve as a guide for further research for their optimum and effective use and also to create awareness among the diabetics.

Keywords

• aldose reductase inhibitors
• diabetes
• diabetic complications
• phytochemicals