Background and purpose: Natural products are valuable sources of anticancer agents. This study investigated the phytochemical composition of Diarthron lessertii shoot extract and evaluated the anticancer potential of its isolated phenolic constituents. Experimental approach: Phenolic compounds were isolated using chromatographic techniques and identified by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS analysis. Cytotoxicity against HeLa cervical cancer cells was assessed using the MTT assay. A luciferase reporter assay evaluated the effect of the most active compound on FOXO3a was examined through molecular docking. Findings/Results: Nine phenolic compounds were isolated and characterized from D. lessertii , including two lignans (epinortrachelogenin and isolariciresinol), one biflavonoid (stelleranol), one bicoumarin (daphnoretin), and five flavonoids (genkwanin, apigenin 7,4’-dimethyl ether, naringenin, apigenin, and dihydrokaempferol). Among the isolated compounds, epinortrachelogenin (compound 1 ) showed the strongest cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells, with an IC 50 value of 80.37 ± 4.72 μM. In luciferase assays, compound 1 selectively activated FOXO3a, reaching 2274 relative luminescence units at 100 pM. Molecular docking further supported these findings, revealing favorable binding of compound 1 within the FOXO3a binding pocket. Conclusion and implications: Epinortrachelogenin exhibited notable cytotoxicity and selective FOXO3a activation, supported by docking analysis. These findings identify this lignan as a promising lead compound for the development of FOXO3a-targeted anticancer agents.

The field of drug design has undergone remarkable advancements with the advent of in silico methods, which utilize computational approaches that accelerate the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. This review provides an overview of two essential techniques in this domain: molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Molecular docking plays a central role in drug design by predicting the binding interactions between a small molecule (ligand) and its target protein (receptor). By leveraging algorithms and scoring functions, molecular docking enables researchers to evaluate the binding affinity and selectivity of potential drug candidates. Through the exploration of various conformations and orientations, molecular docking facilitates the identification of lead compounds for further optimization. In tandem with molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation has emerged as a powerful tool for studying the dynamic behavior of biomolecular systems over time. By employing physical principles alongside computational algorithms, molecular dynamics simulations provide insights into the conformational changes, flexibility, and stability of protein-ligand complexes. These simulations not only elucidate binding mechanisms but also reveal critical structural features that influence drug-target interactions. This mini-review highlights the applications of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation in drug design, emphasizing their utility in lead identification, optimization, and virtual screening. Collectively, the integration of in silico methods—particularly molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation—has transformed the field of drug design, enabling researchers to significantly accelerate the identification of novel drug candidates while optimizing their therapeutic properties. As computational technologies continue to evolve, these techniques hold immense promise for facilitating the discovery and development of safer, more effective drugs.

A comparative study was carried out to explore the antiglycation potential and mechanisms of apigenin (AP) and its glycosidic derivatives, apigenin-4'-O-glucoside (A4′G) and apigenin-7-O-glucoside (A7G), in the reaction mixtures of ribose and human serum albumin (HSA). The degree of ribosylation was monitored by ANS and AGE-specific fluorescence, UV-vis spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, TNBS, DTNB, DNPH assays, and in silico evaluation. The significant decrease in esterase-like activity of ribosylated HSA was strongly improved by the presence of glycosidic derivatives (A4'G > A7G). Despite the higher ability of A4'G to quench AGE-specific fluorescence, the superior capacity of both glycosidic derivatives to reduce the “cross-β structures” of ribosylated-HSA was confirmed by ThT fluorescence. Moreover, A4'G/A7G (10 μM) showed considerable protection against side chain modifications at lysine and cysteine residues, corroborated by TNBS, and DTNB assays for native, glycated and APs-treated HSA. Molecular docking analysis revealed that glycosidic derivatives (A4'G > A7G) could alleviate ribosylation by protecting the glycation- prone sites in Sudlow site I. An explanation was provided regarding the relationship between the effectiveness of glycoside derivatives in suppressing advanced HSA ribosylation and their structural features. Overall, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying AP derivatives in suppressing protein glycation paves the way for the design of "lead molecules" beyond conventional therapies.

Background:Diarthron iranica (family: Thymelaeaceae), a medicinal plant native to Iran, contains a variety of beneficial phytochemicals, among which phenolic compounds with a spectrum of health-promoting activities hold a special place. Objectives:This study deals with the isolation and identification of the main phenolic compounds from D. iranica and investigates their inhibitory potential against α-amylase, an important enzyme in glucose metabolism, using in silico and in vitro approaches. Methods:The purification procedure was accomplished employing chromatographic methods, including thin-layer chromatography (TLC), medium-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The structures were determined using spectroscopic techniques: NMR (1H, 13C, DEPT), mass spectrometry (MS), and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The in vitro α-amylase inhibition was performed in triplicate across seven concentrations (0.30 - 2.80 mg/mL) using the DNS colorimetric method. Molecular docking simulations were conducted using AutoDock 4.2, with ten conformations generated per ligand. Results:Several phenolic derivatives, including 5-[(β)-D-xylopyranoside-(1'''→6'')-β-D-glucopyranoside] 7-Methoxy apigenin (yuankanin, 1), 6'-Methoxy-7'-hydroxy-3'-O-7-bicoumarin (daphnoretin, 2), 4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-7, 9':7', 9-diepoxylignan known as pinoresinol (3), and kusunokinin (4) with 3',4'-dimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxydibenzyl butyrolactone structure were isolated and identified. In an α-amylase inhibition assay, compounds 1 and 3 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 1.32 mg/mL and 1.81 mg/mL, respectively, compared to the reference compound luteolin (IC50 = 0.63 mg/mL), indicating effective but relatively weaker inhibition. Compound 2 demonstrated the strongest inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 0.71 mg/mL, surpassing compounds 1 and 3. Molecular docking studies revealed that compound 1 had a superior binding free energy of -7.13 kcal/mol, forming stable interactions through hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces within the enzyme's binding site. Compound 3 showed a slightly lower binding energy of -6.43 kcal/mol with fewer stabilizing interactions. However, compound 2 demonstrated poor performance in the docking assay, despite its potent inhibitory activity in the α-amylase assay. Conclusions:The phytochemical analysis carried out on the aerial parts of D. iranica yielded the identification and characterization of four phenolic compounds, including a methoxy apigenin glycoside (1), one bicoumarin (2), and two lignans (3-4). Molecular docking studies indicated that compound 1 exhibited superior inhibitory potential compared to compound 3, with stable interactions in the enzyme's binding site. In α-amylase inhibitory assays, these compounds displayed varying levels of activity, with compound 2 showing the highest potency (IC50 = 0.71 mg/mL), followed by compounds 1 (IC50 = 1.32 mg/mL) and 3 (IC50 = 1.81 mg/mL). However, all were less effective than the reference compound luteolin (IC50 = 0.63 mg/mL), which demonstrated superior efficacy.

Diabetes mellitus, a complex metabolic disorder, is marked by chronic hyperglycemia that drives oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease. The Nrf2 pathway, a key regulator of cellular antioxidant defenses, plays a vital role in mitigating oxidative damage and maintaining glucose homeostasis. Dysfunction of Nrf2 has been implicated in the progression of diabetes and its related complications. Polyphenols, a class of plant-derived bioactive compounds, have shown potential in modulating the Nrf2 pathway. Numerous compounds have been found to activate Nrf2 through mechanisms including Keap1 interaction, transcriptional regulation, and epigenetic modification. Preclinical studies indicate their ability to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS), improve insulin sensitivity, and attenuate inflammation in diabetic models. Clinical trials with certain polyphenols, such as resveratrol, have demonstrated improvements in glycemic parameters, though results remain inconsistent. While polyphenols show promise as a component of non-pharmacological approaches to diabetes management, challenges such as bioavailability, individual variability in response, and limited clinical evidence highlight the need for further investigation. Continued research could enhance understanding of their mechanisms and improve their practical application in mitigating diabetes-related complications.

Salvia subg. Perovskia is an aromatic medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family. Essential oil (EO) content and composition, along with enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, were evaluated in 18 plant populations under three levels of irrigation for two consecutive years. Based on the GC-MS analysis, the main components of EO were borneol (1.18–36.53%), followed by camphor (0.54–32.17%), 1,8-cineole (12.44–29.26%), δ-3-carene (0.39–21.20%), myrcene (0.59–16.28%), and α- pinene (0.79–12.87%) in the studied treatment. Except for malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide in leaves and roots, all the examined parameters showed lower values in the first harvest year compared to those of the second year. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, total phenolics, and flavonoids of the extracts were substantially enhanced as stress intensified to reach maximum values in leaves under severe stress and in roots under moderate stress conditions. The maximum root tanshinones content was observed under moderate water deficit conditions, while the highest EO content was obtained in plants exposed to severe stress conditions. Taking into account the evidence provided by this study, it can be inferred that the use of water deficit stress can serve as an effective method to stimulate and improve antioxidant properties, as well as the quantity and quality of secondary metabolites in Salvia subg. Perovskia.

The pathogenesis of diabetes is related to the amount of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that are naturally generated from the attachment of glucose with tissue and circular proteins. Human serum albumin (HSA) is more susceptible to AGE occurrence than other circular proteins due to its sensitive sites and high abundance. Considering the location of hydroxyl groups in the structure of flavonoids, which play a major role in suppressing of AGEs generating pathways, the present study was conducted to compare the effect of the chemical peculiarities of five flavonoids: apigenin (AP), naringenin (NA), luteolin (LU), Quercetin (QU), and methylquercetin (MQ), in suppressing AGEs generated in the HSA/glucose system. The results showed that all used flavonoids are capable of quenching the fluorescence intensity of AGEs in vitro. Analytical methods including UV–visible spectroscopy, CD spectro-polarimetry, TNBS, DTNB, DNPH, Congo red assay, ThT, and ANS fluorescence were used to deeper analysis of flavonoid performance. The anti-AGE effects of flavonoids followed the order of LU > QU > MQ > AP > NA. Docking results showed that flavonoids are associated with glycation-prone lysines and arginine residues in the “Sudlow pocket” through non-covalent interactions. Hydroxylation at the C4′ and the double bond between C2-C3 increase the antiglycation potential of used flavonoids, while methylation of the OH group at the C3 position decreases this effect. It was also found that hydroxylation at C3 can play a dual role in anti-glycation ability. These findings may introduce a new approach to the structure-inhibition relationship of flavonoids in the design of operative anti-glycemic agents.

The process of developing novel compounds/drugs is arduous, time-intensive, and financially burdensome, characterized by a notably low success rate and relatively high attrition rates. To alleviate these challenges, compound/drug repositioning strategies are employed to predict potential therapeutic effects for DrugBankapproved compounds across various diseases. In this study, we devised a computational and enzyme inhibitory mechanistic approach to identify promising compounds from the pool of DrugBank-approved substances targeting Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Molecular docking analyses were employed to validate the binding interaction patterns and conformations of the screened compounds within the active site of alpha-glucosidase. Notably, Asp352 and Glu277 participated in interactions within the alpha-glucosidase-ligand complexes, mediated by conventional hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, respectively. The stability of the docked complexes (alpha-glucosidasecompounds) was scrutinized through Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. Subsequent in vitro analyses assessed the therapeutic potential of the repositioned compounds against alpha-glucosidase. Kinetic studies revealed that "Forodesine" exhibited a lower IC50 (0.24 +/- 0.04 mM) compared to the control, and its inhibitory pattern corresponds to that of competitive inhibitors. In-depth in silico secondary structure content analysis detailed the interactions between Forodesine and alpha-glucosidase, unveiling significant alterations in enzyme conformation upon binding, impacting its catalytic activity. Overall, our findings underscore the potential of Forodesine as a promising candidate for DM treatment through alpha-glucosidase inhibition. Further validation through in vitro and in vivo studies is imperative to confirm the therapeutic benefits of Forodesine in conformational diseases such as DM.

In an effort to find effective medicines for the treatment of diabetes, the efficient mechanisms and lack of side effects of herbal medicines have made them the main candidates for regulating blood sugar levels and reducing the side effects of the disease. This search will be based on the discovery of digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) inhibitors from natural sources and the ways to reduce high blood sugar levels. These enzymes are at the forefront of increasing blood glucose levels because they facilitate the digestion of food polysaccharides into smaller monosaccharide in small intestinal wall. Currently, the arsenal of inhibitors approved for this purpose is limited to veglibose, miglitol and acarbose. Despite the ability to reduce glucose absorption their widespread clinical use is limited due to the occurrence of gastrointestinal ailments. Given the efficacy of various natural compounds in alleviating diabetes symptoms, this review aims to assess the inhibitory potential and mode of action of some phytochemicals on intestinal digestive enzymes. Such an exploration seeks to unveil novel and healthful anti-diabetic agents based on the inhibition of digestive enzymes.

Nowadays, one of the methods to prevent the progress of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is to prescribe compounds that inhibit the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. Researchers are actively pursuing compounds, particularly of natural origin, that exhibit enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects. The inhibition of AChE and BChE using natural flavonoids represents a promising avenue for regulating AD. This study aims to identify alternative flavonoids capable of modulating AD by down-regulating AChE and BChE activity through a molecular docking approach. Molecular docking analysis identified Ginkgetin and Kolaflavanone as potent inhibitors of AChE and BChE, respectively, among the selected flavonoids. Asn87 and Ala127 involved in the interactions of AChE-Ginkgetin complex through conventional hydrogen bonds. While in the BChE-Kolaflavanone complex, Asn83, Ser79, Gln47, and Ser287 are involved. In vitro analysis further corroborated the inhibitory potential, with Ginkgetin exhibiting an IC50 of 3.2 mM against AChE, and Kolaflavanone displaying an IC50 of 3.6 mM against BChE. These findings underscore the potential of Ginkgetin and Kolaflavanone as candidate inhibitors for the treatment of AD through the inhibition of AChE and BChE enzymes. Nevertheless, additional in vitro and in vivo studies are imperative to validate the efficacy of these compounds.

Despite the fact that most of the studied activities of plant phenolic compounds rely on their antioxidant properties, few clues about their antiglycation activity are available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential of phenolic compounds to suppress the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the leaf and root system of two Salvia subg. perovskia species. The study evaluated the antiglycation activity of the plant species and the main polyphenolic profiles in the bovine serum albumin (BSA)/methylglyoxal (MGO) system. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis also revealed the presence of rosmarinic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid and rutin. The study found that rosmarinic acid and rutin were the major phenolic compounds in both species. The leaf crude extracts possessed a higher inhibitory effect against BSA glycation than from other parts. The study concluded that rutin can successfully interact with the key residues of Asp108, His145, Tyr147, Arg196, and Arg458. The results of the study can provide new insights into the development of effective molecules for the treatment of conformational protein diseases.

Biflavonoids (BFs) are a group of polyphenols that have a unique biochemical structure. One of the key biomedical mechanisms that BFs can have high potential in managing Diabetes mellitus (DM) is α-glucosidase inhibition. Normally, elevated blood glucose levels are caused by high absorption of glucose in the epithelium of the small intestine. Since α-glucosidase helps increase the absorption of glucose in the small intestine in the final stage of glycan catabolism, inhibition of this essential biochemical process in diabetic patients can be considered a suitable approach in the treatment of this disease. The interaction between the BFs and α-glucosidase are still not clear, and need to be deeply investigated. Herein, the aim is to identify BFs with strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Using docking-based virtual screening approach, the potential binding affinity of 18 selected BFs to α-glucosidase was evaluated. The dynamic activity and stability of α-glucosidase-BFs complexes were then measured by molecular dynamics simulation (MDs). "Strychnobiflavone" showed the best score in α-glucosidase inhibition. Arg315 and Phe303 involved in the interactions of α-glucosidase-strychnobiflavone complex through cation-π and π-π stacking, respectively. Based on in vitro kinetic studies, it was determined that the type of inhibition of "strychnobiflavone" corresponds to the pattern of mixed inhibitors. Furthermore, details of the interactions between strychnobiflavone and α-glucosidase were performed by in silico secondary structure content analysis. The findings showed when "strychnobifone" binds to the enzyme, significant alterations occur in the enzyme conformation affecting its catalytic activity. In general, the findings highlighted the potential of "strychnobiflavone" as a promising candidate for the treatment of diabetes mellitus through α-glucosidase inhibition. Further in vitro and in vivo studies have to confirm the therapeutic benefits of "strychnobiflavone" in conformational diseases such as diabetes mellitus.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a heterogeneous group of complex chemical entities resulting from non-enzymatic reactions between reducing sugars with proteins, lipids and/or nucleic acids. AGEs tend to accumulate in cells and stimulate diverse signaling pathways that are closely related to the emergence of several chronic metabolic disorders. This review is based on keywords “medicinal plant”, “AGEs”, “AGEs complication”, “AGEs inhibitor” and their characteristics. The keywords are widely identified and checked in databases such as Science Direct, PubMed Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The complex processes of AGEs formation and their impact on human health are reviewed along with recent developments in AGEs inhibitors derived from natural compounds. In addition, the mechanisms of action of natural inhibitors such as quercetin, lignan, chlorogenic acid, resveratrol and stilbenes are summarized in the protection of glycation-sensitive sites in proteins, removal of active carbonyl compounds, chelating metal ions, and reduction of blood glucose levels. Despite showing glycation-induced-free radicals scavenging activity, these compounds have not yet been widely used in clinical field. Therefore, such natural compounds with specific molecular frameworks might have great potential to pave the way of new drugs discovery.

Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. is a species of Apiaceae endemic to the Zagros Mountains in Iran. In the present investigation, for the first time, the polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids of its leaves were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). As a result, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, acetyl phloroglucinol, vanillic acid, m-coumaric acid, and 4-methylsiringol were determined as the main phenolic compounds, while 3-hydroxyflavone, flavone, quercetin, rutin, neohesperidin, polydatin, and diosmin were the main flavonoid components, of which chlorogenic acid (303.08 µL/gDW), neohesperidin (38.37 µL/gDw), and diosmin (28.62 µL/gDW) were the most abundant. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was also used to determine the chemical compounds. Based on SPME, (Z)-undec-6-en-2-one (17.48%) and (Z)-butylidenephthalide (4.348%) were the major components. Based on GC-MS analyses, (Z)-ligustilide was the main compound; however, some new compounds were also determined, including 3-ethylisobenzofuran-1 (3H)-one, (E)-ligugustilide, and E-n-butylidene phthalide. Also, for the first time, we have identified EOs ethyl and isobutyl phthalides on the basis of the obtained EI-MS spectra. Finally, the fragmentation of phthalides is also discussed in this research.

Inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is considered a prospective method for the prevention of type II diabetes. As two flavonoids obtained from fruits, swertisin (SW) and apigenin (AP) have similar structures and display various pharmacological properties. To examine the effects of flavonoid structure on inhibition of AGEs adducts and carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes activity, molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations (MDs) were used. The molecular docking method was performed by the Autodock program, and the ligand that showed the most negative binding energy was selected for further investigation. SW showed the potential ability to inhibit the AGEs formation and carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes activity. The stability of the receptor/SW complex was evaluated by MDs. Based on the findings of the present study, it was found that SW has the potential to reduce glycation and delay the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes.

α-Glucosidase is among the intestinal epithelial enzymes that produce absorbable glucose in the final stage of glycan catabolism. It leads to an increase in blood glucose levels as a result of high glucose uptake in diabetic patients. However, inhibition of this essential biochemical process can be a useful therapeutic approach to diabetes mellitus (DM). Eriocitrin (ER) is an abundant "flavanone glycoside" in citrus fruits with rich antioxidant properties whose effects on α-Glu inhibition in the small intestine remain to be determined. Herein, pH-sensitive microgels (MGs) were designed based on cross-linked methacrylate with acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AAc) (molar ratio 70 : 30 of AAc : AM) as a controlled release system for sustained delivery of ER into the small intestine. The presence of amide and acrylate in MGs and the mechanical resistance were determined using FT-IR spectroscopy, rheology, and viscoelastometry. In vitro experiments showed that MGs could protect ER against diffusion in the gastric location and adjust its release in the intestinal milieu. The intestinal α-Glu activity was inhibited by ER (IC50 value of 12.50 ± 0.73 μM) in an uncompetitive dose-dependent manner. The presence of ER altered the structure of α-Glu and reduced the hydrophobic pockets of the enzyme. Molecular docking analysis along with molecular dynamics simulation displayed that ER-α-Glu formation is directed by hydrogen binding with Asp69, Asp215, Glu411, Asp307, and Tyr347 residues. Moreover, in vivo assessment showed that rat blood glucose concentration decreased after ER administration compared with the control group. The results highlight that ER-loaded-MGs can be considered as a useful releasing strategy in treating DM via α-Glu inhibition.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global threat. Despite the production of various vaccines and different treatments, finding natural compounds to control COVID-19 is still a challenging task. Isoquinoline alkaloids are naturally occurring compounds known to have some potential antiviral activity. In this study, ten abundant isoquinoline alkaloids with antiviral activity were selected to analyze the preventive effect on COVID-19. A scrutinized evaluation based on Lipinski's rule showed that one out of ten compounds was toxic. Based on molecular docking analysis using Autodock software one of the best molecules with maximum negative binding energy was selected for further analysis. The Gromacs simulation analysis revealed that Coptisine has more action against active site Mpro of COVID-19. Overall, to make a rational design of various preventive analogues that inhibit the COVID-19, associated in vitro and in vivo analyses are needed to confirm this claim.

Flavonoid glycosides (FGs) appear to be good candidates for controlling blood glucose levels, so regular consumption of vegetables/fruits rich in FGs may prevent the consequences of type 2 diabetes (DM). Inhibition of digestive enzymes using natural FGs is a suitable dietary tool to regulate the hydrolysis of polysaccharides and overcome hyperglycemia. The aim of the current research is to find FGs that can effectively inhibit the digestive enzymes α-glucosidase (α-Gl) and α-amylase (α-Am). Accordingly, twenty-three FGs were selected and filtered through docking-based virtual screening. Based on the molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, among the 23 selected FGs, nicotiflorin and swertisin significantly inhibited α-Gl and α-Am, respectively. In vitro analysis revealed the inhibitory capacity of nicotiflorin on α-Gl was equal to IC50 at 0.148 mg/ml and the inhibitory activity of swertisin on α-Am was equal to IC50 at 1.894 mg/ml. It was found that nicotiflorin and swertisin act much like as a competitive inhibitor on α-Gl and α-Am, respectively. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity of both enzymes decreased after interaction with two FGs. FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements suggested that the interactions could alter the conformation and microenvironment of the enzymes. Moreover, in vivo evaluation showed that the administration of nicotiflorin and swertisin can alleviate the blood glucose level of rats compared to the starch group (p < 0.05). The findings highlight that nicotiflorin and swertisin can be considered as possible inhibitors in treating diabetes mellitus via digestive enzymes inhibition.

Given the prevalence of diabetes and the increasing number of diabetics, it is essential to find medicines to decrease the chronic complications of diabetes. Several studies have demonstrated that chronic hyperglycemia and its complications are directly related to protein glycation. Thus, identifying natural inhibitors to stop glycation of proteins may play a crucial role in managing the chronic complications of diabetes. Currently, various natural and synthetic compounds with anti-glycation attributes have been reported. The use of natural compounds in herbs (medicinal and non-medicinal) may be of particular importance due to fewer side effects and a wide range of therapeutic properties. Accordingly, this mini-review provides a list of common natural medicines and synthetic compounds with anti-glycation activity. As well, it provides brief information on the formation of advanced glycosylated end products (AGEs), their side effects, and glycation prevention mechanisms.