Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Niruris indica (HENI) and HENI-Loaded Phytosomes in Streptozotocin–Nicotinamide Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or both. Although herbal medicines possess significant antidiabetic potential, their therapeutic efficacy is often limited by poor bioavailability. Phytosome technology has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance the absorption and biological activity of plant-derived compounds. The present study evaluated the antidiabetic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Niruris indica (HENI) and HENI-loaded phytosomes in streptozotocin–nicotinamide-induced diabetic Wistar rats. HENI-loaded phytosomes were prepared using the antisolvent precipitation method and evaluated for acute toxicity, blood glucose, body weight, lipid profile, liver function markers, and stability. Both HENI and HENI-loaded phytosomes were found to be safe up to 2000 mg/kg. Treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced blood glucose levels, improved body weight, normalized lipid profile, and restored liver biochemical parameters compared with diabetic control rats. The phytosomal formulation exhibited greater therapeutic efficacy than the plain extract and remained stable under accelerated and room-temperature storage conditions for three months. These findings suggest that HENI-loaded phytosomes represent a promising herbal nanocarrier system for improving the management of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Niruris indica, phytosomes, diabetes mellitus, streptozotocin, hydroalcoholic extract, nanotechnology.