Epigenetic modifying potential of Lipoic acid: Implications in curing diabetes

Abstract

Due to many causative factors, recent advances in diabetic medication do not prove to be fruitful. In addition to this, the use of synthetic drugs has worsened the condition of patients. Henceforth, the use of plant-based natural products is in trend these days. One such plant-based product is lipoic acid which has been evaluated for its protective effect on diabetic patients. Epigenetics is the study of anomaly in gene expression which is inheritable and reversible, in which DNA sequence remains intact. Evidences suggest that factors responsible for diabetes might be influenced by the interplay between histone lysine acetylation and DNA methylation. Since these changes are reversible, it gives a plethora of opportunities to develop new novel and cost-effective therapies for diabetes-related complications in coming future. The studies are gathering up to highlight the effect of changing diet and environment on different epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Many phytochemicals regulate these epigenetic events and thus gene expression for providing protection against different diseases. Lipoic acid is also known to have potent inhibitory effects on histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity which is essential for the treatment of various diseases like diabetes. The understanding of these mechanisms can help to cure/prevent diabetes just by changing feeding habits.