Myricetin can mitigate altered redox status in type 2 diabetic erythrocytes

Several complications of diabetes are known to be associated with increased oxidative stress. Decreased erythrocyte anti-oxidative capacity in type 2 diabetes has been shown to be correlated with diabetic complications. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effects of myricetin on altered cellular redox parameters; reduced glutathione (GSH) and membrane sulphydryl group (-SH) of human erythrocytes in type 2 diabetes. We observe a decreased intracellular GSH (30%) and membrane -SH content (49%) in type 2 diabetic erythrocytes. Incubation with myricetin (0.1μM to 10μM) caused increase in GSH and membrane -SH group content in type 2 diabetic erythrocytes, an effect that was concentration dependent. The effect of myricetin in maintaining the integrity of membrane -SH groups may be due to activation of plasma membrane redox system activity. Since myricetin in present in high concentration in several plant sources, a high intake of such food sources may augment antioxidant defence in type 2 diabetes and may delay the development of diabetic complications.