Natural aldose reductase inhibitors for treatment and prevention of diabetic cataract: A review

Abstract

Summary Introduction: Aldose reductase (AR) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of glucose to sorbitol responsible for the development of diabetic complications like cataracts. Medicinal plants contain several phytocompounds that can inhibit this enzyme. Objective: The purpose of this review is to cite medicinal plants that have been tested for their ability to inhibit aldose reductase and consequently prevent cataracts and classify the major isolated compounds that have this activity. Methods: We reviewed 154 articles published between 1954 and 2020 in English via three databases: ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and PubMed. We have classified the plants that showed a significant anti-cataract effect, in the form of a list including the scientific and family names of each plant. Also, we have cited the IC50 values and the active constituents of each plant that showed inhibitory activity towards AR. Results: We have described 38 herbs belonging to 29 families. Besides, 47 isolated compounds obtained from the cited herbs have shown an AR inhibitory effect: luteolin, luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, apigenin, 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinic acid, delphinidin 3-O-β-galactopyranoside-3’-O-β-glucopyranoside, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester, andrographolide, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 7-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methyl-8-β-O-D-glucoside-2H-chromen-2-one, E-4-(60-hydroxyhex-30-en-1-yl)phenyl propionate, delphinidin 3-O-β-galactopyranoside-3’,5’-di-O-β-glucopyranoside, 1,2,3-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethanol, (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methanol, trans-anethole, gallic acid 4-O-β-D-(6’-O-galloyl)-glucoside, β-glucogallin, puerariafuran, quercetin, gallic acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone, protocatechuic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid and syringic acid. Conclusion: natural therapy becomes an interesting alternative in the treatment and prevention of cataract by using medicinal plants rich in active compounds considered as AR inhibitors.

Study of the Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Properties, and In Vitro Anti-Diabetic Efficacy of Gracilaria bursa-pastoris Extracts

“…This condition is known to cause numerous long-term health complications, such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiopathy, and, unfortunately, even death. In fact, the mortality rate associated with this condition has seen a concerning increase of 3% between the years 2000 and 2019 [30]. Therefore, it is crucial to have proper medical supervision, which involves the use of oral anti-diabetic medications such as sulfonamides, biguanides, and metformin [81].…”

“…These complications can be broadly categorized as microvascular complications, also known as microangiopathy, and macrovascular complications, commonly referred to as macroangiopathy [29]. The onset and progression of these complications are closely linked to oxidative stress, which triggers the production of free radicals and activates various metabolic pathways [30].…”

Investigation into the Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Properties, and In-Vitro Anti-Diabetic Efficacy of Ulva lactuca Extracts

“…The inhibitory activity of various extracts of U. lactuca against α-amylase was assessed following the protocol outlined by Daoudi et al [ 106 ]. A reaction mixture was prepared, comprising 0.2 mL of the sample or acarbose (utilized as a positive control at concentrations ranging from 2.27 to 0.14 mg/mL), 0.2 mL of phosphate buffer (pH 6.9), and 0.2 mL of enzyme solution (13 IU).…”