PURPOSE: To provide an agent for inhibiting aldose reductase, having strong aldose reductase inhibiting activity and useful for the prevention of the complicating diseases of diabetes, by using a flavone derivative as an active component.
CONSTITUTION: The agent for inhibiting aldose reductase (AR) contains a flavone derivative selected from the compound of formula (R1 is H or OH; R2 is OH or methoxy) and its salt. Since the complicating diseases of diabetes (e.g. cataract, retinal diseases, renal diseases, etc.) are caused by the unnecessary accumulation of polyols derived from saccharides by AR, it is necessary for the effective prevention of the diseases to inhibit the enzymatic activity of AR which is the direct cause of the diseases. In the compounds of formula, 6, 3', 4'-trihydroxy-5, 7, 8-trimethoxyflavone, etc. have strong AR-activity inhibiting capability, and effectively prevent the complicating diseases of diabetes.
MIWA KAZUTOMO
INAGAKI KAZUHIRO
HORIE NORIYOSHI
NAKAYAMA MITSURU
NAKAYAMA MITSURU