Certain metabolic processes which are activated by hyperglycemia have been demonstrated to induce the complications associated with DM. These mechanisms, including enzymes and their intermediates, as well as inhibitors of these enzymes, are discussed below.

The PKC family is comprised of more than eleven isoforms of serine-threonine kinases which play a major role in the modulation of endothelial cell permeability, activation of cell proliferation, and vascular growth23. PKC β is the core target in the escalation of diabetic disorders24, 25. The activation of PKC β in diabetic animals and vascular cells is initiated by hyperglycemia24, 25. An increase in blood glucose levels is accompanied by PKC activation in various tissues, including heart, retina, and renal glomeruli, which eventually exacerbates diabetic complications in both humans and animal models (Figure 1)26, 27, 28. High blood glucose levels directly activate the polyol pathway, whereas PKC associated with the polyol pathway is known to induce diabetic complications. Accordingly, the polyol pathway is linked with the generation of oxidative stress, leading to the emergence of diabetic complications as observed clinically (Figure 2)29, 30, 31. Additionally, continuous PKC activation stimulates different growth factors, including transforming growth factor β, platelet-derived growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor32, 33.

Figure 1

The study carried out by Thomas et al.,34 on the protein kinase inhibitory activity of crude methanol extract of Bocconia frutescens using hyphae formation inhibition assay against Streptomyces 85E at 20 μg/disk concentration, yielded positive results. The alkaloids- namely chelerythrine and berberine- were reported in this plant extract and were responsible for the protein kinase inhibitory effects of this plant34.

The polyol pathway flux consists of two key enzymes: aldose reductase (AR) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SD). In the polyol pathway, glucose is reduced to sorbitol (alcohol) by AR, followed by the oxidation of sorbitol to fructose by SD. Both the AR- and the SD-catalyzed steps involve using nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) (Figure 2)35. The rate of the polyol pathway is dependent on the AR step; AR possesses low glucose affinity (Km > 100 mM) in nondiabetic individuals with normal glucose levels. Indeed, glucose metabolism via the polyol pathway involves the utilization of a very small amount of glucose36.

Under hyperglycemic conditions, AR is activated by rising intracellular glucose levels. The AR reaction eventually leads to the generation of springy polar sorbitol, which permeates the cell membranes, resulting in the distortions of cellular structure and activity, osmotic cell swelling, and reduction in ATPase function23. The oxidation of sorbitol activates PKC to fructose- a process catalyzed by SD- via a rise in NADH/NAD⁺ ratio37. Oxidative stress is generated in the polyol pathway via redox imbalance38, 39. Thus, the polyol pathway is associated with a vast array of diabetic complications (Figure 2).

Emodin, aurantio-obtusin and chryso-obtusin-2-O-β-D-glucoside, isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble extract of Cassia tora seeds elicited inhibitory effects on AR, with corresponding IC₅₀ of 15.9, 13.6 and 8.8 μmol/L, respectively, against AR in rat lens40. Out of six phytocompounds isolated from Glycyrrhizae radix roots, only isoliquiritigenin gave a strong inhibitory effect on AR as well as blocking the buildup of sorbitol in tissues of diabetic rats41. According to the inhibitory study carried out by Jung et al.,42 twelve phenolic compounds were isolated from Belamcanda chinensis rhizomes, among which tectorigenin and tectoridin gave the most potent and highest inhibitory effect (IC₅₀s = 1.12 and 1.08 μmol/L, respectively). Phenolic compounds blocked the accumulation of sorbitol in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats within a period of 10 days at a dose of 100 mg/kg42. The AR inhibitory effect of luteolin isolated from Chrysanthemum boreale at IC₅₀ was 0.5 μmol/L43. The phytocompound, 3, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid derivative), from Ipomoea batatas roots produced a substantial inhibitory effect on AR from rat lens44. Other phytocompounds with AR inhibitory effect include isoaffinetin from Manilkara indica45, rhetsinine from hot water extract of Euodia rutaecarpa46, matteuorienate A and B from Matteuccia orientalis rhizome47, puerariafuran from Pueraria lobata48, and hypolaetin from Sideritis brevibracteata n-butanol extract49.

Figure 2

The contribution of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway in the emergence of insulin resistance, as well as diabetic vascular complications, has been reported1, 51. This pathway involves the conversion of fructose-6-phosphate (fruc-6-P) to glucosamine-6-phosphate (glucN-6-P) using glutamine as the amino donor. The conversion of fruc-6-P to glucN-6-P is catalyzed by glutamine: fructose-6-phosphate-amidotransferase (GFAT), which is the rate-limiting enzyme of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. GlucN-6-P is instantly channeled towards the synthesis of uridine-5-diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-N-acetylglucosamine). The UDP-N-acetylglucosamine is the precursor for the biosynthesis of the necessary amino sugars required for the generation of glycoproteins, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, and glycolipids51, 52, 53. Extremely high blood sugar levels induce the development of diabetic complications through the elevation of fruc-6-P concentration, which flows into the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway54, 55. However, increased blood glucose concentration induces metabolic pathways that eventually promote the release of cytokines such as TGF-β, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TNF-α, CTGF and PAI-1, involved in various diabetic complications (Figure 3)56, 57. For instance, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a significant role in diabetic nephropathy51. Upon cellular glucose uptake, relatively larger glucose concentrations are catabolized and channeled towards glycogenesis, glycolysis, and pentose phosphate metabolism. Moreover, about 2-3% of glucose molecules are channeled into the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway57, 58.

Nevertheless, the inhibition of the rate-limiting enzyme, GFAT, of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway blocks the hyperglycemic-induced transcription of the cytokines, thereby preventing the various diabetic complications which might possibly arise from the pathway51, 53, 54, 59.

The photo components present in fenugreek extracts possess an inhibitory effect against the rate-limiting enzyme pathway of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway60. Diabetic mice fed with fenugreek-containing food showed an inhibited GFAT activity, whereas those given starch diets without fenugreek exhibited an increase in GFAT activity compared with the control group60. The anti-hyperglycemic potency of Euphorbia thymifolia via the inhibition of GFAT has also been reported. The following phytocomponents from E. thymifolia, namely β-amyrin, taraxerol, 1-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, corilagin, cosmosiin, quercetin-3-galactoside, and quercitrin, all exhibited inhibitory efficacy against GFAT with an absolute binding energy of > 8 kcal/mol61.

Figure 3

AGEs are yellowish-brown fluorescent substances. They are generated via the Maillard reaction. Specifically, they are produced via the non-enzymatic reaction between reducing sugars (e.g., glucose) and the amino group of proteins, leading to synthesis of a Schiff base. The resultant adducts are transiently converted to amadori compounds63. The amadori adducts undergo irreversible dehydration and condensation reactions to yield AGEs63, 64. AGEs are also synthesized from dicarbonyl compounds such as methylglyoxal, 3-deoxyglucosone, and glyoxal, which are outcomes of glucose autoxidation and degradation (Figure 5). Indeed, α-hydroxy aldehydes (including glycolaldehyde and glyceraldehyde) are also precursors for AGE synthesis65, 66. It has been shown that there is increased synthesis and accumulation of AGEs under chronic hyperglycemic conditions, leading to diabetic vascular complications63.

Figure 4

The presence of AGEs induces the expression of AGE receptors. The interaction between AGEs and their receptors elevates cellular generation of oxidative stress, enhances the release of cytokines and growth factors via nuclear factor κB activation, and stimulates adhesion factors, all of which eventually lead to inflammatory response67. This interaction between AGEs and their receptor can furthermore escalate arteriosclerosis progression (Figure 4)64, 68. Aggravations of pathological angiogenesis, reduction in fibrinolytic activity, unstable angina, and/or acute myocardial infarction are other complications associated with an increase in AGE levels69, 70, 71.

Drugs such as atorvastatin, pravastatin, telmisartan, ramipril, rosiglitazone, exendin-4 and aminoguanidine have been reported to elicit modulatory effects on the diabetic complications caused by AGEs72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78. Atorvastatin, an antioxidant, is known to block the production of AGEs76. Pravastatin is involved in reducing tubular cell destruction in diabetic nephropathy and mitigates cell apoptosis initiated by the AGEs78. The expression of the AGE receptor was blocked by telmisartan in renal mesangial cells, endothelial cells, and liver cells74. Telmisartan also ameliorates the production of oxidative stress, inflammation, and arteriosclerosis associated with AGE expression74, 77. Previously, it has been reported that ramipril elicits similar effects as telmisartan75. In addition, rosiglitazone mitigates the expression of AGE receptor, while exendin-4 inhibits the development of diabetic nephropathy by blocking the interaction between AGEs and their receptors in tubular cells. The inhibition of AGE formation by aminoguanidine has also been reported72, 73.

Hyperglycemia exacerbates the glucose autoxidation process, which leads to the production of harmful reactive species and ketoaldehyde compounds. Specifically, peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde are generated through this mechanism79.

Hyperglycemia increases the levels of reactive carbonyl species, such as methylglyoxal and glyoxal, as a result of glucose autoxidation54, 80. These reactive carbonyl species can preferentially undergo reactivity with arginine and lysine at relatively high rates (Figure 5), thereby provoking DM pathogenesis. Most of the protein binding sites consist of a large number of arginine residues81, 82. Furthermore, this metabolic process is also linked with the release of AGEs82.

Generally, the aldehyde group of glucose undergoes reactivity with the ε-amino groups of lysine residues and the N-terminal α-amino groups of proteins to produce a Schiff base. Subsequently, it undergoes rearrangement to yield an amadori intermediate. The amadori intermediate is further rearranged for the synthesis of heterogeneous AGEs. The arginine residues of proteins are structurally altered by reactive carbonyl species (Figure 5)82.

Figure 5

Figure 6

Over the years, COX has been known to exist in the cells of mammals in only two isoforms, namely COX-1 and -283. However, a third isoform known as COX-3 was recently established, although its clinical significance has not been fully confirmed84. COX-1 is the most abundant isoform and occurs in almost all tissues83. COX-2 is released in trace amounts and is induced by growth factors, PKC activation, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and tumor promoters85, 86, 87.

An increase in COX-1 levels has been linked with DM onset, resulting in heart-related disorders with high mortality rates88. Furthermore, increased expression and activation of COX-2 have been linked with hyperglycemia through glucose autoxidation and AR pathway activation. This pathway is accompanied by secondary NADPH and NAD⁺ reduction, activation of PKC, stimulation of advanced glycated end-products receptor (RAGE), as well as elevation in reactive oxygen species generation (ROS) (Figure 6)83. According to a study carried out by Guo et al.,89 using type 2 diabetic mice, high COX-2 level was observed in the vascular smooth muscle cells of the mice. An elevation in the abundance of COX-2 in coronary arterioles was also observed and confirmed in diabetic human subjects90, 91. High COX-2 level in the podocytes was also observed and subjected the kidneys to diabetic glomerular injury through a (pro) renin-associated mechanism92.

Inhibition of COX-2 expression was reported to arrest nephropathy in diabetic subjects93, 94, 95. In a related study, the inhibitory action of nimesulide against COX-2 improved endothelial dysfunction in the hind limb vasculature of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats96. The inhibitory effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on COX activity has also been extensively reported97, 98.

Lipoxygenases (LOX) is a family of enzymes typically characterized by non-heme iron-containing structures and is involved in the catalysis of polyunsaturated fatty acid deoxygenation arachidonic acid to generate hydroperoxyl derivatives, such as hydroperoxy-eicosatetraenoic acids (HPETEs)99.

The 12-LOX (an isoform of lipoxygenase) is activated by hyperglycemia and free fatty acids or pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, 12-LOX stimulation promotes the release of the pro-inflammatory lipid intermediates, 12 (S)-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid {12(S)-HPETE} and 12 (S)-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid {12(S)-HETE}. These pro-inflammatory lipid intermediates- in concert with NADPH oxidase (NOX), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38-MAPK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)- can initiate the activation of inflammatory pathways. Eventually, these signaling pathways cause an elevation in ROS, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which can finally lead to impairment and death of β-cells100. The inhibition of the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) translocation by 12(S)-HETE, which controls the expression of antioxidants, is illustrated in Figure 7100, 101.

ML355 has been reported to be a potent inhibitor of human 12-LOX with an IC₅₀ of 290 nm102. According to Adili et al.,103 ML355 inhibited 12-LOX oxylipin production in vivo in a dose-dependent manner.

Figure 7 Figure 8

Hexokinase-2 is the rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes the first step of glycolysis, involving the phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate (G6P)105. Under hyperglycemic conditions, hexokinase-2 initiates an abnormal rise in glycolytic metabolic flux without concurrent transcriptional or other functional regulation. The metabolic flux leads to an unusual increase in the level of glycolytic intermediates. This process is known as a glycolytic overload and is accompanied by several diabetic complications104. The diabetic pathogenic mechanisms associated with this glycolic overload are as follows: G-6-P induces mitochondrial dysfunction, fruc-6-P is channeled to the hexosamine pathway, and dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) activates PKC. At the same time, AGEs are formed from methylglyoxal (MG) through glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and DHAP intermediates (Figure 8)104, 106, 107, 108.

However, a possible therapeutic approach towards the prevention of the complications that may arise from glycolytic overload is through the inhibition of G6P buildup and hexokinase-2 displacement from the mitochondria. This can be made possible by channeling G6P towards the pentose phosphate pathway through the stimulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. This process also helps in mitigating carbohydrate response element (ChoRE)-linked expression of hexokinase-2109.

The disorders associated with DM are linked to various metabolic pathways, facilitated by enzyme activities of the polyol pathway, hexosamine biosynthetic pathway and glucose autoxidation, as well as being associated with increased synthesis of AGE hexokinase-2 driven glycolytic overload and increased activities of COX, LOX and PKC enzymes. The inhibition of the enzymes involved in these pathways could serve to mitigate and arrest diabetic complications. Thus, suitable inhibitors for enzymes involved in DM metabolic events could serve as panaceas against diabetic complications, and would add to the growing list of new and potentially more effective antidiabetic drugs.

12-HETE: 12(S)-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid

12-HPETE: 12(S)-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid

AGEs: Advanced glycation end-products

AR: Aldose reductase

Arg: Arginine

ChoRE: Carbohydrate response element

COX: Cyclooxygenase

DHAP: Dihydroxyacetone phosphate

DM: Diabetes mellitus

eNOS: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase

ER: Endoplasmic reticulum

F-1, 6-bis-P: Fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate

FFAR: Free fatty acid receptor

Fruc-6-P: Fructose-6-phosphate

G6P: Glucose-6-phosphate

GA3P: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate

GFAT: Glutamine: fructose-6-phosphate-amidotransferase

Gln: Glutamine

Glu: Glutamate

GLUT1/2: Glucose transporter 1 or 2

IL: Interleukin

JNK: c-Jun N-terminal kinase

LOX: Lipoxygenase

Lys: Lysine

MCP1: Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1

MG: Methylglyoxal

NADPH: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate

NF-kB: Nuclear factor-kappa B

NF-κB: Nuclear factor κB

NOX: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase

Nrf2: Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2

OGT: O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase

p38-MAPK: p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases

PGE2: Prostaglandin E2

PKC: Protein kinase C

PLA: Phospholipase A2

RAGE: Advanced glycation end-product receptor

ROS: Reactive oxygen species

SD: sorbitol dehydrogenase

TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor α

TPI: Triosephosphate isomerase

UDP: Uridine diphosphate

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine: uridine-5-diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine

None.

FOO/PCC conceived and designed the scope of the report. FOO/PCC/CMC contributed in writing the paper. FOO/PCC revised and edited the manuscript draft. FOO/PCC/CMC authors were the resource persons who provided all the necessary materials for writing the manuscript. FOO/PCC/CMC approved the manuscript in the present form and gave permission to submit the manuscript for publication.

None.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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