Glycosides and Vascular Complications of Diabetes

Abstract Diabetes is linked with various microvascular and macrovascular complications. Nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy are important microvascular complications of diabetes. Different types of secondary metabolites including glycosides have been studied for their effects in diabetic complications. Various glycosides such as flavanoid glycosides and saponin glycosides are reported for their beneficial effects in diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy and cardiomyopathy by action on various pathways involved in the progression of these complications. Coumarin glycosides and cryanogenic glycosides have been studied for their effective role in diabetic nephropathy. Phenolic glycosides and anthraquinone glycosides also have beneficial role in diabetic neuropathy. The present review focuses on various classes of glycosides and their role in the prevention and treatment of vascular complications of diabetes.