Diabetes mellitus therapy in the light of oxidative stress and cardiovascular complications.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease requiring comprehensive pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to slow its progression and prevent or delay its micro- and macrovascular complications. Oxidative stress contributes to the development and progression of type 2 diabetes as well as to the development of its complications through several mechanisms. Therefore, therapeutic targeting of oxidative stress could aid in managing this disease and its complications. In our study, we have collected information on the most frequently used antidiabetic drugs (metformin, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors) in the EU and the USA based on their antioxidant effects. Based on our results, we can conclude that the antioxidant effects of the investigated antidiabetics may contribute significantly to the management of the disease and its complications and may open new therapeutic perspectives in their prevention.