Natural Compounds as Source of Aldose Reductase (AR) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Diabetic Complications: A Mini Review

Background: Aldol reductase (AR) is the polyol pathway's main enzyme that portrays a crucial part in developing ‘complications of diabetes’ involving cataract, retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. These diabetic abnormalities are triggered tremendously via aggregation of sorbitol formation (catalyzed by AR) in the polyol pathway. Consequently, it represents an admirable therapeutic target and vast research was done for the discovery of novel molecules as potential AR inhibitors for diabetic complications. Objective: This review article has been planned to discuss an outline of diabetic complications, AR and its role in diabetic complications, natural compounds reported as AR inhibitors, and benefits of natural/plant derived AR inhibitors for the management of diabetic abnormalities. Results: The goal of AR inhibition remedy is to stabilize the increased flux of blood glucose and sorbitol via the ‘polyol pathway’ in the affected tissues. A variety of synthetic inhibitors of AR have been established such as tolrestat and sorbinil, but both of these face limitations including low permeability and health problems. Pharmaceutical industries and other scientists were also undertaking work to develop newer, active, and ‘safe’ AR inhibitors from natural sources. Therefore, several naturally found molecules were documented to possess a potent inhibitory action on AR activity. Conclusion: Natural inhibitors of AR appeared as harmless pharmacological agents for controlling diabetic complications. The detailed literature throughout this article shows the significance of herbal extracts and phytochemicals as prospective useful AR inhibitors in treating diabetic complications.