Natural antioxidant vitamins: A review of their beneficial roles in management of diabetes mellitus and its complications

Ademola Ayeleso,Nicole Brooks,Emmanuel Mukwevho,Oluwafemi Oguntibeju

doi:10.4314/tjpr.v15i6.30

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a complex and progressive metabolic disease which is associated with multiple complications. Chronic hyperglycaemia is the defining characteristic of diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycaemia leads to generation of free radicals and induces oxidative stress, which has become the chief factor that leads to diabetic complications. This review supports the use of antioxidant vitamins as therapeutic agents in the management of diabetes mellitus and its complications, and also provides an insight into the potential pharmacological effects of natural antioxidant vitamins in diabetic conditions. These antioxidant vitamins can be used as safe supplements to manage the occurrence and complications of the disease. Selected studies have reported on the beneficial effects of antioxidant vitamins in experimental models. The involvement of oxidative stress in diabetes and its complications has made the use of natural antioxidant vitamins (free radical scavengers) from plants inevitable as they may be very effective and safer in the management of diabetes.Keywords: Antioxidant, Oxidative stress, Vitamins, Diabetes mellitus

Highlights

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex disease with multiple etiologies characterized by hyperglycaemia [1]
DM is usually categorised into two major types i.e. type 1 and type 2 [7,8]
Abnormal elevated levels of free radicals and the simultaneous reduction of antioxidant defence can result in damage of cellular organelles and enzymes, increased lipid peroxidation and development of insulin resistance [19]

Summary

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex disease with multiple etiologies characterized by hyperglycaemia [1]. Abnormal elevated levels of free radicals and the simultaneous reduction of antioxidant defence can result in damage of cellular organelles and enzymes, increased lipid peroxidation and development of insulin resistance [19]. The fight against free radicals in the body is mediated by the actions of antioxidants [41] andmuch interest on the use of natural antioxidants as a means to prevent oxidative damage in diabetes has developed [42].

Results

Conclusion