Summary: | Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered a chronic metabolic disease in which oxidative stress plays a vital part in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Essentially, hyperglycemia instigates the auto-oxidation of glucose to free radicals. The free radicals overwhelm endogenous antioxidant defense in macrovascular and microvascular dysfunctions. The antioxidants (such as vitamin C and α-lipoic acid) effectively reduce diabetic complications; they are used to treat and decrease the complication of diabetes mellitus. Supplementations with antioxidants and medicinal plants that possess antioxidant activity have been investigated for hypoglycemic effects. This review article sums up the role and mechanism of antioxidants in the prevention of T2DM and its complications. © 2023, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya. All rights reserved.
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