About this Research Topic
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or because of both. Prolonged hyperglycemia leads to the progression of oxidative stress that affects metabolic, genetic and hemodynamic systems of the body.
An emerging area of research is examining the role of natural products to alleviate various disease conditions due to their lower toxicity and minimal adverse effects. Polyphenols are a group of compounds naturally found in plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, spices, teas and herbs. Of the various types of polyphenols, flavonoids account for more than 60% and possess high anti-diabetic properties.
Some modern chemical formulations involve synthetic molecules conjugated with natural products like alkaloids to minimize the toxicity and adverse drug effects of synthetic molecules. There remains a big gap in our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the impact of natural products containing alkaloids, in various disease conditions like diabetes and its associated complications.
Alkaloidal compounds such as berberine, palmatine, and vindoline, amongst others, have been recognized for their anti-diabetic potential. Examples of therapeutic effects they elicit include increasing insulin secretion, inhibition of digestive enzymes, enhancement of glucose uptake and inhibition of the formation of advanced glycation end-products and oxidative stress.
The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this bioactivity and how this is linked with diabetic complications is still not clear. Furthermore, how synthetic molecules when conjugated to alkaloids mitigate diabetic complications, and by what mechanism, is only partially understood.
The main goal of this Research Topic is to fill the knowledge gap in our understanding of the role of alkaloidal compounds in diabetic complications.
With this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of original research manuscripts, reviews/mini-reviews, perspective and opinion articles on:
1. Genetic determinants, molecular and cellular pathways involved in diabetic complications
2. How natural and synthetic conjugated alkaloids affect the progression of diabetic complications.
3. Post-transactional and post-translational modifications associated with diabetic complications and role of alkaloids in reducing them.
4. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic understanding of natural alkaloids and synthetic conjugated alkaloids in diabetic conditions.
An emerging area of research is examining the role of natural products to alleviate various disease conditions due to their lower toxicity and minimal adverse effects. Polyphenols are a group of compounds naturally found in plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, spices, teas and herbs. Of the various types of polyphenols, flavonoids account for more than 60% and possess high anti-diabetic properties.
Some modern chemical formulations involve synthetic molecules conjugated with natural products like alkaloids to minimize the toxicity and adverse drug effects of synthetic molecules. There remains a big gap in our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the impact of natural products containing alkaloids, in various disease conditions like diabetes and its associated complications.
Alkaloidal compounds such as berberine, palmatine, and vindoline, amongst others, have been recognized for their anti-diabetic potential. Examples of therapeutic effects they elicit include increasing insulin secretion, inhibition of digestive enzymes, enhancement of glucose uptake and inhibition of the formation of advanced glycation end-products and oxidative stress.
The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this bioactivity and how this is linked with diabetic complications is still not clear. Furthermore, how synthetic molecules when conjugated to alkaloids mitigate diabetic complications, and by what mechanism, is only partially understood.
The main goal of this Research Topic is to fill the knowledge gap in our understanding of the role of alkaloidal compounds in diabetic complications.
With this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of original research manuscripts, reviews/mini-reviews, perspective and opinion articles on:
1. Genetic determinants, molecular and cellular pathways involved in diabetic complications
2. How natural and synthetic conjugated alkaloids affect the progression of diabetic complications.
3. Post-transactional and post-translational modifications associated with diabetic complications and role of alkaloids in reducing them.
4. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic understanding of natural alkaloids and synthetic conjugated alkaloids in diabetic conditions.
Keywords: Natural Products, Diabetic Nephropathy, Diabetic Neuropathy, Diabetic Retinopathy, Diabetic Cardiomyopathy, Molecular Mechanisms
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