Flavonoids like quercetin, which were reported to have potent ARI activity, were found to show protective effect as well as prophylactic role on the diabetic kidney by decreasing the oxidative stress.

Quercetin has demonstrated in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic properties. It improves oral glucose tolerance, as well as pancreatic-cell function to secrete insulin.

It inhibits the-glucosidase and DPP-IV enzymes, which prolong the half-life of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Quercetin also suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory markers such as IL-1 , IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-alpha.

Curcumin, a potent inhibitor of AR, was reported to show its efficacy in diabetic nephropathy. It reverses the alterations in the activities of kidney cellular enzymes associated with DM, reverses the decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids ratio and ATPases activity of renal membranes, lowers nephromegaly in diabetic animals. Curcumin also acts through prevention of nuclear translocation of NF-kB, which is responsible for mesangial expansion.

Curcumin is a potent scavenger of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species such as hydroxyl radicals and nitrogen dioxide radicals. Curcumin is effective in preventing glucose-induced oxidative stress in the endothelial cells and in the heart of diabetic animals. It has also been shown that short-term treatment of diabetic rats with curcumin prevents diabetes-induced decreased antioxidant enzyme levels and kidney dysfunction. p300 is known to associate with the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB to regulate gene expression. These changes may be mediated by the inhibition of histone acetyltransferase p300.

Ellagic acid was found to inhibit AR in vitro and was also found to significantly diminish renal activity of AR and sorbitol dehydrogenase, as well as suppressed renal AR mRNA expression along with inhibition of IL-6, IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in vivo suggesting the combined effect of ARI and anti-inflammatory activities of ellagic acid for its beneficial role in diabetic nephropathy.

Moreover, Spirulina is an affluent source of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin, and folic acid. It also provides an array of minerals, including magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and selenium. Spirulina’s pigment profile encompasses chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin (a blue pigment), carotenoids (including beta-carotene), and xanthophylls.

Its antioxidant properties are attributed to compounds such as phycocyanin and betacarotene, which help safeguard cells against oxidative damage. Spirulina further contains various polysaccharides known for their immune-enhancing properties. As a protein source, Spirulina stands out, comprising approximately 60-70% protein by weight. The protein it provides is highly digestible and contains all essential amino acids. It also contains various carbohydrates, including glucose, fructose, and polysaccharides. While its lipid content is relatively low, Spirulina does contain essential fatty acids, primarily ω-6 fatty acids such as linoleic acid including γ- linolenic acid.