Abstract
Non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins is the major cause of diabetic complications, such as cardiovascular disorders, retino-pathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. It seems that protein glycosylation can be inhibited effectively by antioxidants. Several flavonoids, such as rutin, kaempferol, quercetin, apigenin, naringin, morin and biochanin A were selected to determine their antioxidant effects on in vitro insulin, hemoglobin and albumin glycosylation. The optimal glucose concentration and incubation time were obtained for each protein. Then, the inhibition percentage of protein glycosylation was measured in the presence of three different concentrations (0.5,5,10 ng/ml) of each flavonoids by a colorimetric method. The results demonstrated that biochanin A, the best inhibitor of insulin and hemoglobin glycosylation, inhibits their glycosylation 100%and 60%, respectively. Glycosylation of albumin was inhibited 100%by both biochanin A and apigenin. Therefore, it seems probable that plants containing flavonoids may have preventive effects in diabetic complications.
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Notes on contributors
Roshanak Vakili
F. U. Alakbarov is Head Scientific Officer, expert in the Oriental and Folk Medicine, Institute of Manuscripts of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, 8 Istiglaliyat str., Baku, 370001, Azerbaijan.
At the time of writing Liya Davydov was PharmD candidate, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, St. John's University. Currently, she is Pharmacy Practice Resident, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY.
Ila Mehra Harris is Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems, College of Pharmacy, and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Family Practice & Community Health, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Colin J. Briggs is Professor of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba. Recently he completed a secondment to Health Canada, as Senior Science Advisor in the Therapeutics Products Programme with special responsibility for complementary medicines.
Gemma Briggs is Research Assistant, IMPACT, The Injury Prevention Centre of Children's Hospital, 501G-715 John Buhler Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Mary Chavezis Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Director of Complementary Medicine Education and Research, The Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Practice, Midwestern University, College of Pharmacy Glendale, Glendale, AZ 85308.