Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Mouse Electroacupuncture Fixation Device Fabrication for Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model
Published on: April 18, 2025
Oxidative-Inflammatory Crosstalk and Multi-Target Natural Agents: Decoding Diabetic Vascular Complications
Jingwen Liu1, Kexin Li1, Zixin Yi1
1School of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010020, China.
Abstract:
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide and its prevalence continues to rise. Chronic hyperglycemia exposes patients to severe complications. Among these, diabetic vascular lesions are the most destructive. Their primary driver is the synergistic interaction between hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. This review systematically elucidates how multiple pathological pathways-namely, metabolic dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and epigenetic reprogramming-cooperate to drive oxidative stress and inflammatory cascades. Confronting this complex pathological network, natural products, unlike conventional single-target synthetic drugs, exert multi-target synergistic effects, simultaneously modulating several key pathogenic networks. This enables the restoration of redox homeostasis and the suppression of inflammatory responses, thereby improving vascular function and delaying both microvascular and macrovascular disease progression. However, the clinical translation of natural products still faces multiple challenges and requires comprehensive mechanistic studies and rigorous validation to fully realize their therapeutic potential.
Insights
Natural products offer a multi-target approach to combat diabetic vascular complications driven by oxidative stress and inflammation. Further research is needed for clinical translation of these promising natural remedies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Pharmacology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health crisis with rising prevalence.
- Chronic hyperglycemia leads to severe complications, particularly diabetic vascular lesions.
- Oxidative stress and inflammation are key drivers of these vascular pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the pathological pathways driving diabetic vascular lesions.
- To explore the multi-target therapeutic potential of natural products in managing DM complications.
- To identify challenges in the clinical translation of natural products.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature on diabetic vascular disease mechanisms.
- Analysis of pathological pathways including metabolic dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, ER stress, and epigenetics.
- Evaluation of natural products' multi-target synergistic effects versus single-target synthetic drugs.
Main Results:
- Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and inflammation synergistically drive diabetic vascular lesions.
- Multiple pathways (metabolic, mitochondrial, ER, epigenetic) converge to promote these pathologies.
- Natural products demonstrate multi-target effects, restoring redox balance and suppressing inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Natural products offer a promising therapeutic strategy for diabetic vascular disease due to their multi-target action.
- They can improve vascular function and delay disease progression by modulating key pathogenic networks.
- Rigorous mechanistic studies and validation are crucial for successful clinical translation of natural products.
Related Concept Videos
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Inflammatory Response I: Vascular and Cellular
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Atherosclerosis III: Management

