The myriad of complications associated with diabetes is closely linked with the generation of reactive species or free radicals leading to oxidative and nitrosative stress. Increased oxidative stress is an important cause and result of diabetes and it is thought to underlie the cellular changes that lead to diabetic complications. The whole cause and effect form a vicious circle, underlying many layers of potential therapeutics in its research. In this regards, this review outlines the briefs about the correlation of type 2 diabetes and oxidative (or nitrosative) stress and also compiles the potentiality of various antioxidants that are being or can be used for alleviating the oxidative stress. Since the complications are like a knit matrix of numerous deteriorating mechanisms, a single antioxidant therapeutic approach cannot be an answer. Therefore, it is important to develop new fixed-dose combinations of effective antioxidants that target key reactive oxygen (or nitrogen)-producing sources, mimic endogenous antioxidants and scavenge the reactive species generated balancing the pro and antioxidant cycle. This review focuses on the preclinical and clinical trial data with therapeutic antioxidants in type 2 diabetes along with a brief focus on success and failures of antioxidant-based therapy.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; antioxidants; clinical trial; oxidative stress; therapy.