Nanomedicine-based potential phyto-drug delivery systems for diabetes

Diabetes is one of the 21st-century major health concerns, considered the sixth leading cause of death, and expected to rise to more than 642 million people by 2040. Three types of diabetes exist, differing in their etiology: Type 1 (T1DM) and 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), and Gestational DM. Despite the availability of insulin and oral antidiabetics-based treatments, all types have been associated with acute and chronic complications and undesired side effects derived from drug therapies. Phyto-therapy has attracted many researchers to explore various natural sources to find new compounds for treating the disease. Different phyto-molecules, ranging from polyphenols to alkaloids, have shown potential antidiabetic activity with a lower side effects profile. However, the intrinsic variability of natural sources makes them complex raw materials composed of various molecules with different physicochemical properties, especially in terms of chemical structure, solubility, and stability. Moreover, oral administration is affected by enzymatic digestion and hepatic first-pass metabolism, which limit their bioavailability and thus, their therapeutic effect. In order to solve this issue, phyto-drug delivery systems (phyto-DDS) based on phytosomes, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanocrystals, and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) have been developed to improve the physicochemical properties of the phytoconstituents and to provide protection in the gastric environment. Therefore, this review presents the phyto-DDS potential to transport phyto-components and successfully contribute to significant pharmacokinetic, bioavailability and therapeutic activity improvement in diabetes treatment.