Preclinical Studies on Daidzein in the Treatment of Diabetic Complications

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with a persistent increase in the level of blood glucose due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Persistent uncontrolled level of glucose in the blood leads to the development of diabetic complications. Various intracellular signaling pathways, transcription factors, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors activation, increased oxidative stress, a flux of polyol pathway, hexosamine pathway, and activation of protein kinase C(PKC) are key pathways associated with the progression of diabetic complications. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) is a membrane-bound enzyme responsible for the development of reactive oxygen species in hyperglycemia. newlineDaidzein is a naturally occurring isoflavone mainly present in soybeans and other legumes and is widely known as soy isoflavone. Daidzein is reported in the management of diabetes by improving glucose metabolism and its uptake via pancreatic and#946; cell regenerator and insulin secretory effect. In addition, Daidzein also possesses activity against various inflammatory and apoptotic markers like TGF-and#946;, TNF-and#945;, NF-kand#946;, IL-6, and IL-18. Daidzein has also been reported for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the expression of NOX. newlineInhibition of NOX and its component is an upcoming novel target for the management of vascular complications of diabetes. Hence the present study was designed to check the effect of daidzein in the management of diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, cystopathy, and cardiomyopathy. newlineThe diabetes was induced with intraperitoneal administration of STZ (55 mg/kg) in SD rats Animals with plasma glucose more than 250 mg/dl were selected for the study. After four weeks, animals were randomized and treated with daidzein for the next four weeks in diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy study whereas for neuropathy, cytopathy, and cardiomyopathy after six weeks, daidzein treatment was given for the next four weeks.