Natural flavonoids as potential multifunctional agents in prevention of diabetic cataract

Abstract

Cataract is one of the earliest secondary complications of diabetes mellitus. The lens is a closed system with limited capability to repair or regenerate itself. Current evidence supports the view that cataractogenesis is a multifactorial process. Mechanisms related to glucose toxicity, namely oxidative stress, processes of non-enzymatic glycation and enhanced polyol pathway significantly contribute to the development of eye lens opacity under conditions of diabetes. There is an urgent need for inexpensive, non-surgical approaches to the treatment of cataract. Recently, considerable attention has been devoted to the search for phytochemical therapeutics. Several pharmacological actions of natural flavonoids may operate in the prevention of cataract since flavonoids are capable of affecting multiple mechanisms or etiological factors responsible for the development of diabetic cataract. In the present paper, natural flavonoids are reviewed as potential agents that could reduce the risk of cataract formation via affecting multiple pathways pertinent to eye lens opacification. In addition, the bioavailability of flavonoids for the lens is considered.

Amelioration of altered antioxidant enzymes activity and glomerulosclerosis by coenzyme Q10 in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

“…SOD, GPX and CAT activity and GSH level are considered to be antioxidant enzyme for assessing antioxidant status (Flores-Mateo et al, 2009). There are reports that natural antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, melatonin (El-Batch, Hassan, & Mahmoud, 2011), zinc (Lima, Sampaio Fde, Bezerra, Moita Neto, & Marreiro Ddo, 2011), flavonoids (Stefek, 2011), taurine (El-Batch et al, 2011, N-acetylcysteine, L-arginine (Granstam & Granstam, 2011) and natural phenolic compounds (Ranilla, Kwon, Apostolidis, & Shetty, 2010) could increase antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant status in diabetic disease. Karaoz et al (2002) showed that a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C could reduce lipid peroxidation and increase the antioxidants GSH, SOD and GPX.…”

MicroRNA-141 Inhibits the Proliferation of Penile Cavernous Smooth Muscle Cells Associated with Down-Regulation of the Rhoa/Rho Kinase Signaling Pathway

“…Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are subject to chronic complications with increasing morbidity and mortality [1,2]. Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to the inability to keep the penile erection for a kind of sexual behavior [3].…”

Amelioration of Lead-induced Toxicity in Blood, Liver and Kidney Tissues of Male Wistar Rats by Fermented Ofada Rice

“…The mechanism of antioxidant action has been the focus of a large number of publications, common mechanisms identified include: their ability to act as free radical scavengers, hydrogen donating compounds, singlet oxygen quenchers, and metal ion chelators (Stefek, 2011). The concentration of total flavonoids in methanol-extracts of fermented ofada rice koji samples was determined from day 0 -15 of the fermentation period.…”