Review
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World J Transl Med. Aug 12, 2014; 3(2): 84-95
Published online Aug 12, 2014. doi: 10.5528/wjtm.v3.i2.84
Nanotechnological approaches in diabetes treatment: A new horizon
Asmita Samadder, Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh
Asmita Samadder, Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh, Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal 741235, India
Author contributions: Samadder A surveyed the literature on the topic and collected data; Khuda-Bukhsh AR scrutinized every detail of the review.
Correspondence to: Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh, PhD, Professor, Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, 741235, India. prof_arkb@yahoo.co.in
Telephone: +91-33-25828768 Fax: +91-33-25828282
Received: September 26, 2013
Revised: March 9, 2014
Accepted: April 3, 2014
Published online: August 12, 2014
Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and takes a heavy toll on human life. Treatment of diabetics often poses a problem in selection of the proper drug, its dose and unwanted side effects. Therefore, newer drugs with the least side effects but with highest efficiency are being relentlessly searched for. In recent years, nanotechnology has given new hope for the formulation of various drugs against a myriad of diseases, including diabetes. This review tries to give an overview of the advantages of various new drugs being used, including a wide range of nanoformulations of orthodox as well complementary and alternative medicines. Several studies and research reports based on nanotechnological approaches in the formulation of anti-diabetic drugs have pointed out the fact that research in the formulation of nanodrugs improved strategies for combating diabetes based on the plausible molecular mechanism of action of the drugs. Furthermore, attempts have also been made to delineate the optimum drug concentration and time of exposure in order to recommend a scientifically validated drug dose response in developing different therapeutic strategies. Thus, to a considerable extent, recent studies have contributed towards improving the life expectancy and quality of life of diabetics, through both targeted orthodox medicine and complementary medicine, particularly those obtained from natural resources.

Keywords: Diabetes, Complementary and orthodox medicine(s), Orthodox anti-diabetic medicines, Nanotechnology and nanomedicine, Nanoformulation

Core tip: This review on diabetes aims to provide information available on research carried out on both traditional and modern medicine practices, highlighting some recent ones including use of nanomedicines that would hopefully be able to give patients a better quality of longer life. This review also focuses on some unresolved issues and concerns about the benefits of using plant products and nanoformulations in reducing side effects and provides convincing evidence of their ameliorative properties.