MECHANISTIC INSIGHTS INTO THE ANTIOXIDANT PATHWAYS MODULATED BY MANGIFERA INDICA, MORINGA OLEIFERA, AND PLUMBAGO ZEYLANICA IN DIABETIC RATS

Pavan Kumar Patel* and Manju Makhija

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus, a pervasive global health crisis, is profoundly exacerbated by oxidative stress, which contributes significantly to its pathogenesis and complications (n.d.). Conventional antidiabetic drugs, while effective, often present unavoidable side effects, driving the urgent exploration of alternative, natural sources for therapeutic agents (n.d.). Medicinal plants, renowned for their accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and minimal side effects, are increasingly recognized as promising candidates for novel antidiabetic treatments due to their rich profile of bioactive compounds (n.d.). This essay explores the mechanistic insights into how *Mangifera indica*, *Moringa oleifera*, and *Plumbago zeylanica* modulate antioxidant pathways in diabetic rats, offering a comprehensive understanding of their therapeutic potential. Oxidative stress is a critical underlying mechanism in the development and progression of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its associated complications (2025). This imbalance arises from an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that overwhelms the body's intrinsic antioxidant defense systems (2025). In both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, ROS are implicated in pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, impairing insulin synthesis and contributing to insulin resistance (2015). Persistent hyperglycemia, a hallmark of diabetes, directly stimulates heightened generation of free radicals through mechanisms like glucose auto-oxidation and NADPH oxidase activity, leading to cellular damage and inflammation (2022). This oxidative environment can lead to lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and protein degradation, further worsening diabetic complications (2015). Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), along with non-enzymatic antioxidants like reduced glutathione (GSH), are crucial in protecting the biological system from this oxidative damage (2015). Studies in diabetic animal models often show a reduction in the activities of these protective enzymes, indicating their excessive utilization in neutralizing the overwhelming free radical load (2015). Therefore, therapeutic strategies that enhance or restore the antioxidant capacity are vital for mitigating diabetes-induced oxidative stress and its severe consequences (2015).

Keywords: Antioxidant Pathways, Blood Glucose, Catalase Activity, Diabetic Rats, Glutathione Peroxidase, Herbal Extracts, Insulin Levels, Mangifera Indica, Moringa Oleifera, Oxidative Stress, Plumbago Zeylanica, Superoxide Dismutase.