Development and Optimization of Nigella sativa Nanoemulsion Loaded with Pioglitazone for Hypoglycemic Effect

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder associated with an increased blood glucose level. The world health burden of DM has increased as a result of numerous causes that necessitates suitable treatment. Pioglitazone (PGZ) is a generally prescribed medication for managing type II diabetes. However, its low solubility creates complications for its formulation. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to incorporate PGZ into a nanoemulsion (NE) formulation prepared with Nigella sativa oil (NSO) to boost the action of PGZ. To our knowledge, no previous study has addressed the combination and synergistic effect of PGZ and NSO as a hypoglycemic NE formulation intended for oral administration. An experiment was designed to test several PGZ-loaded NE formulations, varying factors such as NSO, surfactant and co-surfactant concentrations. These factors were investigated for their influence on responses including particle size and in vitro release. An optimized PGZ-loaded NE was selected and examined for its morphology, kinetic activity and stability. Further, the anti-diabetic effect of the optimized formulation was evaluated using diabetically induced rats. The optimized formula exhibited a good particle size of 167.1 nm and in vitro release of 89.5%. A kinetic study revealed that the drug release followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas mechanism. Additionally, the PGZ-loaded NE formulation was found to be stable, showing non-significant variation in the evaluated parameters when stored at 4 and 25 °C for a period of 3 months. In vivo investigation of the PGZ-loaded NE formulation showed a significant reduction in blood glucose level, which appeared to be enhanced by the presence of NSO. In conclusion, NS-NE could be a promising nanocarrier for enhancing the hypoglycemic effect of PGZ.

Enhancing the Topical Antibacterial Activity of Fusidic Acid via Embedding into Cinnamon Oil Nano-Lipid Carrier

“…About 5 µL of each formulated FA-NE was added to a disposable cuvette to be diluted with 3 mL of distilled water and then assessed for its particle size and polydispersity index (PDI). This evaluation was performed using the dynamic light scattering technique via a Malvern Zetasizer (Nanoseries, zs; Malvern Instruments, Malvern, UK) at 25 • C [57].…”

Effect of Nigella sativa on Selected Gastrointestinal Diseases

“…Furthermore, Nigella sativa seeds were highlighted to have antihyperlipidemic and hypoglycemic effects and can protect the pancreas from damage caused by hyperlipidemia (regeneration of the exocrine and endocrine parts of the pancreatic tissues of hyperlipidemic rats fed extra virgin olive oil or Nigella sativa seeds was demonstrated) [ 38 ]. Current analyses of Nigella sativa’s lowering of blood glucose levels in potentiating the hypoglycemic effect of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes (pioglitazone) and the potential value of nanoemulsion as a nanocarrier to increase bioavailability seem promising [ 39 ].…”

Formulation by Design of an Innovative Tea Tree Oil Nanoemulgel Incorporating Mupirocin for Enhanced Wound Healing Activity

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