Some vitamins (ascorbic acid [AA] and α-tocopherol), many herbs and spices (rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, basil, pepper, clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg), and plant extracts (tea and grapeseed) contain antioxidant components thus imparting antioxidant properties to the compound.13 The natural phenolic antioxidants often act as reducing agents, terminate the free radical chain reaction by removing the same, absorb light in the ultraviolet (UV) region (100–400 nm),

and chelate transition metals, thus inhibit oxidation reactions by itself being oxidized and also prevent the production Epigenetic signaling inhibitors of off-odours and tastes.14 Although oxidation reactions are life crucial they can be damaging as well, thus it is very essential to maintain the complex system of multiple antioxidants nutritionally such as selenium, vitamin C and E which have significant immuno-stimulant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects. In addition, they have a very important role in protecting the structural integrity of ischaemic or hypoxic tissues, and to some extent in anti-thrombotic actions too. Thus because of such diverse applications of antioxidants, their uses are being extensively studied in pharmacology, more specifically

in the treatment for cancer, stroke, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative Selleck LY2157299 diseases and certain diabetic complications.15 Diabetes is a major worldwide health problem. It is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by absolute or relative deficiencies in insulin secretion or non-secretion of insulin aminophylline resulting in chronic hyperglycaemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. As a consequence of the metabolic de-arrangements in diabetics, various complications develop including both macro- and micro-vascular dysfunctions.16 Various studies have shown that diabetes mellitus is associated with increased formation of free

radicals and decreases antioxidant potential which, leads to disturbances in the balance between radical formation and protection against which ultimately results in oxidative damage of cell components such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. An increased oxidative stress can be observed in both insulin dependent (type 1) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2).17 Among various factors that are responsible for increased oxidative stress, glucose autoxidation is most responsible for the production of free radicals. Other factors include cellular oxidation/reduction imbalances and reduction in antioxidant defences (including decreased cellular antioxidant levels and a reduction in the activity of enzymes that dispose of free radicals). In addition, increased levels of some prooxidants such as ferritin and homocysteine are also observed.