Antiglycating Potential of Ellagic Acid against Glucose and Methylglyoxal-induced Glycation of Superoxide Dismutase

Ellagic acid (EA) has been reported to have various beneficial pharmacological properties, including strong antidiabetic activity. Glycation plays an important role in diabetesassociated complications. In this study, we have investigated the antiglycating potential of EA by using the important antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD). The glycation of SOD by glucose or methyglyoxal (MG) and its protection by EA has been studied by activity, SDS-PAGE, ELISA, absorbance and fluorescence measurements. Glycation of SOD resulted in a decrease in enzyme activity, fragmentation/cross-linking, reduced crossreactivity with anti-SOD antibodies, structural changes, and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and fibrils. EA provided protection against glucose or MG induced glycation of SOD. The antiglycating potential of EA appears to be comparable with that of quercetin which is reported to be a potent natural inhibitor of glycation. Therefore, EA is an effective anti-diabetic compound, which can be used as a supplement in treating diabetes and its complications.