Plant-derived nanoparticles as anti-diabetic agents: Exploring mechanisms and therapeutic applications

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, primarily due to insufficient insulin secretion or the body’s inability to respond effectively to insulin produced by pancreatic cells. Diabetes is a major global health concern, with its associated complications contributing significantly to mortality worldwide. Nanotechnology is rapidly advancing in pharmaceutical sciences, offering enhanced drug efficacy through targeted delivery mechanisms. Plant-derived nanoparticles, synthesized using bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids, exhibit promising regulatory potential with minimal side effects. This review highlights the reported anti-diabetic efficacy of metallic and biopolymeric nanoparticles including silver, gold, zinc oxide, copper, selenium, iron oxide, and chitosan biosynthesized via green nanotechnological approaches. These nano-bioactive agents modulate therapeutic targets such as pancreatic α-amylase, intestinal α-glucosidase, insulin signaling, and glucose uptake across various in vitro and in vivo models. The integration of nanotechnology with phytomedicine opens avenues for identifying novel therapeutic candidates and improving diabetes management strategies.