Inhibition of aldose reductase and sorbitol accumulation by astilbin and taxifolin dihydroflavonols in Engelhardtia chrysolepis.

Dihydroflavonol taxifolin and its glycoside, astilbin, from Engelhardtia chrysolepis inhibited rat lens and recombinant human aldose reductase. Taxifolin also inhibited sorbitol accumulation in human red blood cells. Furthermore, this dihydroflavonol aglycone maintained the clarity of rat lens incubated with a high concentration of glucose. These dihydroflavonols may be effective for preventing osmotic stress in hyperglycemia.