Protective Effects of Flavonoids in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: A Comprehensive Review on the Mechanistic Insights

Abstract

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the leading causes of mortality among diabetic patients. Flavonoid are the most abundant group of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables, and have received increasing interest as potential chemopreventive antidiabetic agents. Flavonoids might contribute to prevent or delay DCM by regulating the cardiac metabolism, insulin signaling, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammation. Among other effects, flavonoids have been proved to enhance glucose uptake, decrease cellular lipid accumulation, or suppress oxidative stress. However, the mechanistic basis of these effects is not fully understood, and many points remain to be clarified. This review provides insight into the molecular mechanisms of flavonoid chemopreventive activity by summarizing cell culture and animal model studies.