Inhibition of protein glycation by procyanidin-B2 enriched fraction of cinnamon: delay of diabetic cataract in rats.

Accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) from nonenzymatic glycation of proteins has been implicated in several diabetic complications including diabetic cataract. Previously, we have reported that extracts of dietary agents such as cinnamon have the potential to inhibit AGE formation. In this study, we have shown procyanidin-B2 as the active component of cinnamon that is involved in AGE inhibition using bioassay-guided fractionation of eye lens proteins under in vitro conditions.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new piplartine analogues as potent aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs).

As a continuation of our efforts directed towards the development of anti-diabetic agents from natural sources, piplartine was isolated from Piper chaba, and was found to inhibit recombinant human ALR2 with an IC(50) of 160 μM. To improve the efficacy, a series of analogues have been synthesized by modification of the styryl/aromatic and heterocyclic ring functionalities of this natural product lead. All the derivatives were tested for their ALR2 inhibitory activity, and results indicated that adducts 3c, 3e and 2j prepared by the Michael addition of piplartine with indole derivatives displayed potent ARI activity, while the other compounds displayed varying degrees of inhibition.

Inhibition of aldose reductase by Gentiana lutea extracts.

Accumulation of intracellular sorbitol due to increased aldose reductase (ALR2) activity has been implicated in the development of various secondary complications of diabetes. Thus, ALR2 inhibition could be an effective strategy in the prevention or delay of certain diabetic complications. Gentiana lutea grows naturally in the central and southern areas of Europe.

The isolation and characterization of β-glucogallin as a novel aldose reductase inhibitor from Emblica officinalis.

Diabetes mellitus is recognized as a leading cause of new cases of blindness. The prevalence of diabetic eye disease is expected to continue to increase worldwide as a result of the dramatic increase in the number of people with diabetes. At present, there is no medical treatment to delay or prevent the onset and progression of cataract or retinopathy, the most common causes of vision loss in diabetics.

Ellagic acid, a new antiglycating agent: its inhibition of Nϵ-(carboxymethyl)lysine.

Non-enzymatic glycation is a complex series of reactions between reducing sugars and amino groups of proteins. Accumulation of AGEs (advanced glycation end-products) due to non-enzymatic glycation has been related to several diseases associated with aging and diabetes. The formation of AGEs is accelerated in hyperglycaemic conditions, which alters the structure and function of long-lived proteins, thereby contributing to long-term diabetic complications.