Brassica napus and diabetic complications

Introduction Chronic hyperglycemia results in diabetes associated complications development that is nowadays a global health disorder without efficient therapeutic application. Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative damage are major reasons of diabetes accelerated renal and cardiovascular diseases. Hyperglycemia enhances oxidative injury of cellular macromolecules by making disruption of ATP generation processes, activating polyol pathway, rising hexosamine process and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In fact, hyperglycemia induced oxidative stress increase micro-inflammatory pathways which lead to overexpression of adhesion molecules, enhancement of vascular permeability and infiltration of inflammatory cells into extracellular space. NADH oxidase enzyme contributes to reactive oxygenated species production in diabetic complications. Recent studies also have indicated that Nox4, an iso-enzyme of NADH oxidase family, is major source of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide in diabetic nephropathy (1). Hyperlipidemia and diabetes associated complications are inseparably related together. In fact insulin resistance, alleviation of insulin production and release are responsible for alteration of normal lipid metabolism in adipose tissue. Thus, high level of free fatty acids is mobilized to liver. In addition, NADPH oxidase activity increases generation of radicals in adipose tissue that cause overproduction of pro-inflammatory adipocytokines, lead to systemic and local inflammation development (2). Recently, medicinal plants have attracted considerable attention as favorable curative applications in the treatment, alleviation and management of complications associated with chronic hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia due to they contain various bioactive constituents and less toxic adverse effects. Brassica napus is a flowering member of Brassicaceae family that is attributed to rape, rapeseed and oilseed rape. Mostly this plant is used for producing canola oil which is a good source of various chemoprotective agents. It has been determined consumption of vegetable and oilseed of brassica decrease age related chronic disease such as diabetes, renal failure, hypertension and atherosclerosis. Furthermore, it contains various polyphenolic antioxidants; anthocyanin, kaempferol and quercetin are major components. Other its bioactive constituents include carotenoids, vitamin C and E, folic acid, sinapic acid, lignans, glucose esters, phenolic acid, tripeptides. Sinapic acid is an effective peroxinitrit scavenger which inhibits modulation of necrotic or apoptotic pathways. Antioxidant value of brassica is affected by genotype and different parts of plant, environment and cooking methods. Brassica contributes in some biological actions such as antiviral, anti-carcinogenesis through repairing oxidative DNA damage, inhibitor of angiotensin convertor enzyme activity, reducer of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level and enhancement of glucose tolerance (3). It is reported anthocyanin is potential component for reducNPJ