Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Argyreia pierreana and Matelea denticulata: Higher activity of the micellar nanoformulation over the crude extract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Herbal medicine combined with nanotechnology is widely proposed to improve the oral bioavailability, reduce the required dose and side effects, and improve the pharmacological efficacy of extracts. Thus, this study evaluated the in vivo antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities of ethanolic leaf extracts of Argyreia pierreana (AP) and Matelea denticulata (MP) plants in comparison with their micellar nanoformulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mixed micelles (MMs) loaded with crude extracts (CEs) of AP and MD (AP-MMs and MD-MMs) were prepared using a film dispersion technique. Type 2 diabetes was induced in rats using high-fat diet (HFD) and low-dose (35 mg/kg) streptozotocin (STZ) injection. The pharmacological actions of CEs, AP-MMs and MD-MMs were determined in type 2 diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. RESULTS: Oral treatments with low-dose AP-MMs and MD-MMs having a mean particle size of 163 ± 10 nm and 145 ± 8 nm respectively, resulted in significantly decreased fasting blood glucose level and increased serum insulin, glucokinase levels, and normalized the elevated levels of hemoglobin A1C and glucose-6-phosphatase. Both extracts significantly decreased serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein, as well as elevated high-density lipoprotein levels. Additionally, improvements in antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and malondialdehyde levels were evidenced clearly in tested vital organs (brain, heart, liver). CONCLUSION: This is the first report of the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities of ethanolic leaf extracts of AP and MP plants. Our findings indicate the potential utility of nanotechnology in improving the oral therapeutic efficacy of herbal extracts.