Potensi Antioksidan sebagai Antidiabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a syndrome that is marked by elevated blood sugar level. DM is categorized into two types: type 1 DM is called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and type 2 DM is called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
Glucose can be oxidized before or after bound with protein (glycated protein), producing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Diabetic patients indicate lipid peroxide and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Subtances (TBARS) plasma levels that are higher than normal individuals. The combination of glycation and glucose oxidation forms AGEs (Advanced Glycogen End-products). Glycated protein and AGEs modified protein can cause oxidative stress by releasing O2*- ,H2O2 and carbonyl toxic can damage protein.
Many kinds of plants contain active compounds that can inhibit carbohydrate hydrolysis and glucose absorption, regenerate ┚-cells so as to increase the release of insulin, inhibit aldose reductase and control the glucose level. Synthetic as well as natural antioxidant compounds from various plants can control glucose level and inhibit diabetic complications. Polyphenolic active compounds in plants have
antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. To reduce the amount of type 1 DM patients it is necessary to change the life style, among others by consuming enough vegetables and fruits as antioxidant sources.