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Ginger extract and selenium supplementation: A promising approach to improve diabetic retinopathy
Xiaohan Huang1, Jing Li1, Shaohua Tang1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Purpose:
Diabetic retinopathy results from damage to small blood vessels and retinal neurons due to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species and overexpression of TRPM2 and TRPV1. Hence, inhibition of these events by ginger and selenium may reduce diabetes-induced ocular damage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of ginger, selenium, and their combinations on apoptosis, inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative damage, and the expression of TRPM2 and TRPV1.
Methods:
Seventy-two adult male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups as follows: control, diabetes, diabetes-ginger (100 mg/kg), diabetes-selenium (50, 100, and 150 µg/kg), and diabetes-ginger (100 mg/kg)-selenium (50, 100, and 150 µg/kg).
Results:
Diabetes increased the expression of protein and genes of TRPM2 and TRPV1, and it induced oxidative damage by increasing malondialdehyde levels and decreasing superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase enzyme activities. Diabetes induced apoptosis by increasing BAX and caspase-3 gene expression and decreasing Bcl2 in eye tissue when compared to the control group. However, treatment with ginger (100 mg/kg), selenium (50, 100, and 150 µg/kg), and their combinations improved these situations in the diabetic groups compared to the diabetic group.
Conclusions:
Diabetes induced retinopathy by inducing oxidative damage, inflammation, apoptosis, and upregulation of TRPM2 and TRPV1. However, treatments with selenium, ginger, and their combinations improved diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis and downregulating protein and gene expression of TRPM2 and TRPV1. The results of this study suggest that ginger and selenium can be a good treatment to inhibit the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Insights
Ginger and selenium treatments significantly improved diabetic retinopathy in rats by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. These natural compounds effectively downregulate TRPM2 and TRPV1 expression, offering a promising therapeutic approach for ocular damage in diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes.
- DR involves oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and TRP channel (TRPM2, TRPV1) overexpression.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to DR pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effects of ginger and selenium on diabetic retinopathy.
- To evaluate their impact on apoptosis, inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative damage, and TRPM2/TRPV1 expression.
- To assess the combined effects of ginger and selenium in a rat model.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-two Wistar rats were divided into control, diabetes, and treatment groups.
- Treatments included ginger (100 mg/kg), selenium (50-150 µg/kg), and combinations.
- Evaluated markers included oxidative stress indices, apoptosis markers (BAX, caspase-3, Bcl2), and TRPM2/TRPV1 gene/protein expression.
Main Results:
- Diabetes increased TRPM2/TRPV1 expression, oxidative damage (MDA), and apoptosis (BAX, caspase-3).
- Diabetes decreased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPx, CAT) and Bcl2 expression.
- Ginger, selenium, and their combinations ameliorated these diabetes-induced changes.
Conclusions:
- Ginger and selenium treatments effectively reversed diabetes-induced ocular damage.
- They inhibited oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis while downregulating TRPM2 and TRPV1.
- Ginger and selenium represent a potential therapeutic strategy for managing diabetic retinopathy progression.
