Alginate Nanocarrier Loading Catharanthus roseus L. Extracts: An Emergent Formulating Approach to Enhance...

Loading of Catharanthus roseus L. (C. roseus) into an alginate nanocarrier offers a new gateway for the development of antidiabetic drug leads with improved bioactivities. The present study aimed to formulate, characterize, and investigate antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities of alginate nanocarrier loading C. roseus ethanol, 50% ethanol, and 50% acetone leaf extracts. Alginate nanocarrier loading C. roseus extracts were prepared by the ionic gelation technique and characterized. The antidiabetic activity was evaluated by α-amylase, α-glucosidase, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, antiglycation, glucose adsorption, and glucose uptake assays. Anti-inflammatory potential was assessed through xanthine oxidase, membrane stabilization, and anti-hyaluronidase assays. Formulated alginate nanocarrier had satisfactory characterization data. Alginate nanocarrier loading ethanol and 50% ethanol extracts were capable of inhibiting α-amylase, α-glucosidase, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, and glycation activities compared to their crude extracts. The C. roseus ethanol extract exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity upon loading into an alginate nanocarrier, attaining IC₅₀ values below 1 mg/mL across all evaluated assays. Alginate nanocarrier loading C. roseus ethanol extract exhibited more desirable characteristics with improved activities than the other two nanoformulations. In conclusion, the findings of the present study would facilitate the development of stable and potent antidiabetic drug leads, preferably using alginate nanocarrier loading C. roseus ethanol extract to be used in the management of diabetes mellitus.