Phenolic Compounds as Preventive and Therapeutic Agents in Diabetes-Related Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Advanced Glycation End-Products Production and Insulin Sensitivity

Diabetes mellitus and its complications represent an extremely concerning health problem across the world. The extraordinary worldwide increase of the disease incidence highlights a challenging need for the development of new, safe, effective, and affordable therapeutic approaches. This complex disease, characterized by high blood sugar levels, involves numerous pathogenic processes in its etiology. Even though the molecular mechanisms behind are not clear, it is broadly recognized that oxidative stress, the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and inflammation are implicated in the development, the progression and the related complications of the disease. In this regard, phenolic compounds represent a valuable therapeutic perspective. Thus, this review is focused on the role of phenolic compounds in diabetes-related oxidative stress, AGEs production and inflammation. In particular, we summarized recent results of in vitro and in vivo studies concerning antioxidant and antiglycative properties of phenolic compounds and also the modulation of activity on inflammation and inflammation-related pathways relevant in diabetes, namely arachidonic acid, nuclear factor-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinases and phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathways, were described. Highlighting thus the anti-diabetic potential of phenolic compounds in the development of preventive or therapeutic strategies for the management of diabetes and its related complications.