Inhibition of lens aldose reductase by flavonoids-Their possible role in the prevention of diabetic cataracts

Abstract

Flavonoids, also referred to as vitamin P, were found to be highly potent inhibitors of aldose reductase, the enzyme that initiates cataract formation in diabetes. Over forty flavone derivatives were tested and found to be active but the two most potent ones were quercitrin and quercitrin 2″-acetate, which inhibit the enzyme activity by 50 per cent at 10-7 and 4 × 10-8 M respectively. The potency of these two compounds surpassed that of all the previosly known inhibitors of aldose reductase. Studies were conducted to determine how structural alteration in the basic flavonoid moiety affected their inhibitory ctivity. It is possible that further search may reveal even more potent analogues of this ubiquitously distributed group of plant polyphenols which may ultimately be useful in diabetic patients. © 1976.