Table 5.
Phytoconstituents—gene interactions in attenuation of diabetic liver and kidney disorders.
| Phytoconstituents and Their Sources | Effects | Type of Study | Mechanism of Action | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Quercetin (Plant spices, onions, grapes, citrus, berries, leafy vegetables, legumes, cocoa) |
Reduces TC and increases HDL; liver antioxidant protection. Attenuates liver complications. |
T2D db/db mice HFD- metabolic syndrome in rats |
Lowers TBARS and improves liver SOD, CAT and GPx activities. Increases liver Nrf-2, HO-1 and decreases NF-kB expression. |
[61] [71] |
|
Curcumin (Curcuma longa) |
Normalizes blood glucose; improves antioxidant protection in liver. | STZ-diabetic rats | Induces hepatic GSH level, SOD, CAT, GPx, GST activities and SOD and GST expression. | [63] |
|
Berberine (Berberis aristata L., Berberis vulgaris L., Coptis chinensis Franch.) |
Hypoglycemic effect; liver protection. | STZ-NA diabetic mice | Induces hepatic expression of CuZnSOD. | [66] |
|
Baicalein (Scutellaria baicalensis, S. lateriflora) |
Reduced diabetes-related oxidative stress in liver. | STZ-NA diabetic rats | Lowers blood glucose and HbA1c; increases activities and expression of SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx in the liver. | [84] |
|
Obacunone (citrus and plants of the Rutaceae family) |
Renoprotective effect by preventing HG-induced oxidative damage of renal tubular epithelial cells. | HG-treated NRK-52E cells | Increases SOD, GSH, CAT levels; down-regulates activity of GSK-3β and up-regulates activity of Nrf-2; enhances mRNA of NQO-1 and HO-1 genes. | [90] |
|
Resveratrol (grapes, peanuts, strawberries, cherries) |
Beneficial effect on kidney function. | STZ-diabetic rats | Normalizes CAT, SOD1 and SOD2 protein levels in kidneys toward control values. | [91] |
|
Saponins (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) |
Ameliorates hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and insulin levels. Renal- and hepato-protection. |
STZ-diabetic rats | Promotes Nrf-2 expression and SOD and GPx activities in the liver; increases kidney SOD and GPx activities. | [92] |
|
Alpha-lipoic acid (spinach, broccoli, tomato, carrots) |
Decreases glycosylation of antioxidant and redox signaling proteins in diabetic liver, kidney and circulation. | STZ- diabetic rats |
Improves glucose, triglycerides, HbA1c, AST and ALT in serum; elevates GSH level; induces activities of SOD, CAT and reduces SOD, CAT, HSP70, HSP90 glycosylation in RBCs. | [93] |
| STZ- diabetic rat kidney |
Promotes activities of renal MnSOD, CuZnSOD and CAT by inducing their mRNA levels and by reducing their glycosylation. | [94] | ||
| STZ- diabetic rat liver |
Restores CAT and Mn/CuZnSOD activities; increases mRNA and protein levels of CuZnSOD and CAT; decreases glycosylation of SOD, CAT, ERK, p38 NFkB-p65, CEBPβ in liver. | [16] |
Abbreviations: Nrf-2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; SOD, superoxide dismutase; CAT, catalase; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; GSH, glutathione; GST, glutathione S-transferase; HDL, high density lipoprotein; TC, total cholesterol; HFD, high fat diet; NA, nicotinamide; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1; NQO1, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone oxidoreductase 1; HG, high glucose; HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin; HSP70 and HSP90, heat shock proteins 70 and 90; GSK-3β, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta; RBC, red blood cells; ERK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase; p38, mitogen-activated protein kinase; NFkB-p65, nuclear factor kappa B protein subunit 65; CEBPβ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; NRK-52E cells, rat kidney epithelial cells.