The Influence of Plant Extracts and Phytoconstituents on Antioxidant Enzymes Activity and Gene Expression in the Prevention and Treatment of Impaired Glucose Homeostasis and Diabetes Complications

Abstract

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder resulting either from insulin resistance or an impaired insulin secretion. Prolonged elevated blood glucose concentration, the key clinical sign of diabetes, initiates an enhancement of reactive oxygen species derived from glucose autoxidation and glycosylation of proteins. Consequently, chronic oxidative stress overwhelms cellular endogenous antioxidant defenses and leads to the acute and long-standing structural and functional changes of macromolecules resulting in impaired cellular functioning, cell death and organ dysfunction. The oxidative stress provoked chain of pathological events over time cause diabetic complications such as nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, retinopathy, hypertension, and liver disease. Under diabetic conditions, accompanying genome/epigenome and metabolite markers alterations may also affect glucose homeostasis, pancreatic β-cells, muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. By providing deeper genetic/epigenetic insight of direct or indirect dietary effects, nutrigenomics offers a promising opportunity to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients. Natural plant extracts, or their naturally occurring compounds, were shown to be very proficient in the prevention and treatment of different pathologies associated with oxidative stress including diabetes and its complications. Considering that food intake is one of the crucial components in diabetes’ prevalence, progression and complications, this review summarizes the effect of the major plant secondary metabolite and phytoconstituents on the antioxidant enzymes activity and gene expression under diabetic conditions.

Effects of alpha lipoic acid on metabolic syndrome: A comprehensive review

“…In several studies, the beneficial effects of medicinal herbs have been confirmed on the components of MetS such as dyslipidemia (Mihailović et al, 2021; Mollazadeh, Mahdian, & Hosseinzadeh, 2019; Nyakudya, Tshabalala, Dangarembizi, Erlwanger, & Ndhlala, 2020). Medicinal herbs may affect on blood lipid profile by their antioxidant properties and reducing inflammatory cytokines such as TNF‐α and IL‐1β (Mahdian et al, 2020).…”

“…In several studies, the beneficial effects of medicinal herbs have been confirmed on the components of MetS such as dyslipidemia (Mihailovi c et al, 2021;Mollazadeh, Mahdian, & Hosseinzadeh, 2019;Nyakudya, Tshabalala, Dangarembizi, Erlwanger, & Ndhlala, 2020).…”

Anti-inflammatory potentials of ethanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

“…The result presented above showed a decrease in C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 level in Gongronema latifolium and insulin treated group when compared with diabetic (DM only) group. The decrease in the C-reactive protein levels in the two treated group is an indication of the anti-inflammatory potential of G. latifolium which may be due to the flavonoid and polyphenols in the plant extract [29]. A study reported that flavonoids present in G. latifolium leaves extract are kaempherol, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, rutin and laricitrin-3-Oglucoside [30].…”

Phytochemicals as Modulators of Paraoxonase-1 in Health and Diseases

“…Moreover, strawberries can decrease pro-oxidant processes, causing oxidative stress in healthy subjects by increasing plasma antioxidants and reducing the production of reactive oxygen species through reposing phagocytes in peripheral blood [ 93 ]. Strawberry polyphenols may elevate the gene transcription of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) that regulates the biosynthesis of different antioxidant enzymes [ 94 ]. Furthermore, they can have an impact on activity and expression of PPARs involved in several cellular processes such as lipid metabolism and fatty acid oxidation [ 95 ].…”