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Activation of Nrf2 signaling by natural products-can it alleviate diabetes?

Manuel Matzinger1, Katrin Fischhuber1, Elke H Heiss1

  • 1University of Vienna, Department of Pharmacognosy, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Biotechnology Advances
|January 1, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation by natural products shows promise for preventing type 2 diabetes. Nrf2 may alleviate insulin resistance, beta-cell dysfunction, and diabetic complications.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cellular Biology
  • Metabolic Diseases

Background:

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global pandemic requiring novel prevention strategies.
  • Cellular distress is a key feature in the onset of type 2 DM.
  • Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a crucial transcription factor that enhances cellular protective responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the function, regulation, and activation of Nrf2.
  • To explore the role of Nrf2 in mitigating diabetes-linked cellular stress.
  • To assess the potential of Nrf2 activation by natural products for type 2 DM prevention and management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Nrf2 function, regulation, and activation pathways.
  • Analysis of studies investigating Nrf2's role in cellular stress associated with diabetes.
  • Synthesis of evidence on Nrf2's therapeutic effects on insulin resistance, beta-cell function, and diabetic complications.

Main Results:

  • Nrf2 activation by phytochemicals and other natural products can counteract diabetes-related cellular stress.
  • Activated Nrf2 has demonstrated amelioration of insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction in preclinical and clinical studies.
  • Nrf2 signaling is implicated in reducing the severity of various diabetic complications.

Conclusions:

  • Nrf2 activation represents a promising therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
  • Natural products that activate Nrf2 may offer a viable strategy for managing DM.
  • Further research into Nrf2's role in precision medicine for type 2 DM is warranted.
Keywords:
Nrf2cellular stresshyperglycemiainsulin sensitivitynatural productstype 2 diabetesvascular complicationsβ-cell function

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