Rat lens aldose reductase inhibitory activities of Cissus assamica var. pilosissima and Syzygium oblatum

Abstract

Aldose reductase (AR) has been shown to play an important role in the development of diabetic complications. To search for AR inhibitors from Chinese plants, the ethanol extracts of Chinese plants was tested against an inhibition of rat lens AR in vitro. Among Chinese plants tested, Cissus assamica var. pilosissima and Syzygium oblatum showed highest inhibition of AR (IC50 values, 0.71 and 0.79 μg/ml, respectively). Cissus assamica var. pilosissima and Syzygium oblatum showed more potent inhibitory activity against AR than the positive control, TMG. Consequently, C. assamica var. pilosissima and S. oblatum have a possibility of new natural resources for the development of AR inhibitor for the prevention of diabetic complications.