“EMERGING NANOTECHNOLOGIES IN DIABETES CARE: ENHANCING DRUG DELIVERY AND THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY”

Tejas Pandey and Priyanka Sonker*

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus is a growing global health concern with significant socioeconomic burdens. Conventional therapies like insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents have limitations, including side effects, poor efficacy, and patient non-adherence. Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions for diabetes management through advanced drug delivery systems such as polymeric, lipid-based, inorganic micelles, exosome-generated, and hybrid nanoparticles. Among these, plant-derived silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stand out due to their biocompatibility, antioxidant activity, and glucose-regulating properties. Green synthesis using plant extracts provides a sustainable and less toxic approach, leveraging bioactive compounds like polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids to enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce complications. Medicinal plants like Jasminum sambac, Syzygium cumini, Momordica charantia, and Curcuma longa have shown promising results in nanotechnology-based diabetes treatment. However, challenges such as regulatory hurdles, safety concerns, and scalability remain. Future research should focus on improving nanoparticle formulations, ensuring biocompatibility, and integrating plant-based and synthetic nanotechnologies for a multi-targeted therapeutic approach. These advancements highlight the potential of nanotechnology in revolutionizing diabetes care with novel treatment strategies.

Keywords: Nanotechnology, Diabetes mellitus, Drug delivery, Plant-derived nanoparticles, Silver nanoparticles, Antidiabetic effects.