Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2025;21(3):68-85.
doi: 10.2174/0115733998288592240308073925.

Herbal Nanoformulations for Diabetes: Mechanisms, Formulations, and Clinical Impact

Affiliations
Review

Herbal Nanoformulations for Diabetes: Mechanisms, Formulations, and Clinical Impact

Sunita et al. Curr Diabetes Rev. 2025.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus remains a global health challenge, demanding innovative therapeutic strategies. Herbal remedies have garnered attention for their potential in diabetes management, and recent advancements in nanotechnology have enabled the development of herbal nanoformulations with enhanced efficacy and bioavailability.

Objective: This review aimed to comprehensively analyze the mechanisms, formulations, and clinical impact of herbal nanoformulations in managing diabetes mellitus.

Method: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies exploring the mechanisms of action, various formulations, and clinical outcomes of herbal nanoformulations in diabetes management.

Result: Herbal nanoformulations exert their anti-diabetic effects through multiple mechanisms, including enhanced bioavailability, improved tissue targeting, and potentiation of insulin signaling pathways. Various herbal ingredients, such as bitter melon, fenugreek, and Gymnema sylvestre, have been encapsulated into nanocarriers, like liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles, to enhance their therapeutic potential. Clinical studies have demonstrated promising results, showing improvements in glycemic control, lipid profile, and antioxidant status with minimal adverse effects.

Conclusion: Herbal nanoformulations represent a promising avenue for the management of diabetes mellitus, offering improved therapeutic outcomes compared to conventional herbal preparations. Further research is warranted to optimize formulation strategies, elucidate long-term safety profiles, and explore the potential synergistic effects of herbal nanoformulations in combination therapies for diabetes management.

Keywords: Herbal nanoformulations; clinical efficacy.; diabetes mellitus; nanoparticles; nanosuspension; nanosystem.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. DiSanto R.M.; Subramanian V.; Gu Z.; Recent advances in nanotechnology for diabetes treatment. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015,7(4),548-564 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Marella S.; Tollamadugu N.V.K.V.P.; Nanotechnological approaches for the development of herbal drugs in treatment of diabetes mellitus – A critical review. IET Nanobiotechnol 2018,12(5),549-556 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ruan S.; Guo X.; Ren Y.; Cao G.; Xing H.; Zhang X.; Nanomedicines based on trace elements for intervention of diabetes mellitus. Biomed Pharmacother 2023,168,115684 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bonifácio B.V.; Silva P.B.; Ramos M.A.; Negri K.M.; Bauab T.M.; Chorilli M.; Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and herbal medicines: A review. Int J Nanomedicine 2014,9,1-15 - PubMed
    1. Ansari S.H.; Sameem M.; Islam F.; Influence of nanotechnology on herbal drugs: A Review. J Adv Pharm Technol Res 2012,3(3),142-146 - DOI - PubMed

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources