Novel phytoniosomes formulation of Tradescantia pallida leaves attenuates diabetes more effectively than pure extract

Herbal medicines have been considered as a safe and efficacious mode of treatment since ancient times. How-ever, large molecular size and low bioavailability hinder their absorption leading to low concentration levels at the site of action. Therefore, there is a dire need for novel drug delivery systems to encapsulate and deliver these drugs more effectively. The aim of the study was to prepare an optimized niosome formulation for Tradescantia pallida leaves extract for diabetes. High energy probe sonication method was used to prepare niosomes. The optimized niosomal formulation formed spherically shaped vesicles with average size of 160 nm, entrapment efficiency of 89.12% and controlled drug release profile. Physicochemical characterization analysis showed mostly crystalline structure with small amorphous halo. Further, in vitro antidiabetic potentials of pure extract and the best niosomal formulation were tested using alpha-amylase inhibition assay and non-enzymatic glyco-sylation of hemoglobin assay. The results showed that niosomal formulation demonstrated significant antidia-betic activity in alpha-amylase inhibition assay, when compared with acarbose and pure extract alone. Similar results were achieved with niosomal formulation in non-enzymatic glycosylation assay, when compared with acarbose. The interactive binding studies revealed that phytoniosomes and extract alter the protein structure to exhibit antidiabetic activity. As a conclusion, this study showed that Tradescantia pallida extract loaded niosomes do have high antidiabetic potential.