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Global Translational Medicine Phytonanotherapy in cancer and diabetes care

Table 7. Advantages and disadvantages of photothermal therapy
Advantages Disadvantages
Precise tumor targeting Targets cancer cells selectively, causing minimal damage to healthy Limited penetration depth; works best on surface tumors.
tissue.
Minimal side effects Reduces the systemic side effects of conventional chemotherapy. In places with weak blood flow, efficacy may be
diminished.
Rapid treatment Rapid heating of NPs and tumor tissue results in shorter treatment Complete tumor ablation may necessitate many therapy
sessions. sessions.
Controlled activation Using a laser or light, it is possible to precisely control the Laser or light delivery requires specialized equipment.
activation of NPs.
Minimal invasive The use of a non-invasive or minimally invasive method lowers Not appropriate for all cancer kinds or stages.
patient discomfort.
Versatile applications Possibility of combining with other cancer treatments. Photothermal agents are few and difficult to get.
Abbreviation: NP: Nanoparticle.

therapies while improving the overall quality of life of cancer Alginate, a natural polysaccharide, can create gels that
patients. However, additional research and clinical validation block the absorption of glucose from the digestive tract,
are required to optimize this drug delivery approach and allowing for more stable blood sugar levels following
verify its safety and efficacy in clinical practice. 59,60 meals. 65,66 Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid pigment, has been
linked to enhanced insulin sensitivity and decreased
7.1.5. Imaging inflammation, both of which are key aspects of diabetes
Certain algae-derived NPs have inherent imaging management. Researchers are leveraging these bioactive
capabilities, making them useful instruments for molecules to create NPs that may be delivered orally
cancer detection and treatment monitoring. These NPs or by injection to enable controlled and prolonged
can be used as contrast agents in a variety of imaging release of these diabetes-controlling substances. This
modalities, including MRI, computed tomography (CT), method has the potential to enhance glucose control,
and fluorescence imaging. 61,62 Because of their size and minimize dependency on traditional drugs, and improve
surface features, these NPs concentrate preferentially in overall diabetes care. More research and clinical trials,
tumor tissues when delivered to patients. This selective however, are required to evaluate the safety and efficacy
accumulation enables precise tumor visualization, which of these algae-derived NP-based treatments in diabetic
aids in cancer identification and localization. Furthermore, patients. 67,68
during cancer treatment, these imaging NPs can aid in the
monitoring of treatment response by measuring changes in 7.2.2. Insulin mimicry
tumor size, shape, and vascularization over time. This real- Some polysaccharides generated from algae have insulin-
time imaging capabilities is especially beneficial for guiding like characteristics, boosting cell glucose absorption. These
treatment decisions and optimizing therapy tactics. Hence, polysaccharide-containing NPs may imitate the effect of
algae-derived NPs with inherent imaging capabilities insulin, thereby assisting in diabetes treatment (Table 8). 69-71
offer a non-invasive and highly informative method for
cancer diagnosis, therapy planning, and patient care. More 7.2.3. Anti-inflammatory effects
research and clinical validation are needed to fully realize Algae-derived NPs may have anti-inflammatory
the promise of these imaging NPs in oncology. 63,64 characteristics, which may aid in the reduction of chronic

7.2. Diabetes treatment with algae-derived green inflammation associated with diabetes and its consequences.
NPs Algae, particularly microalgae and macroalgae (seaweed),
contain a diverse range of bioactive chemicals, such as
7.2.1. Glucose control polyphenols, carotenoids, polysaccharides, and fatty acids,

Algae-derived chemicals, notably alginate and fucoxanthin, all of which have anti-inflammatory characteristics. 72,73
which are common in brown algae, have demonstrated Algae-derived NPs can be designed to release or distribute
remarkable promise in the regulation of blood glucose bioactive chemicals that have been found to inhibit the
levels, making them appealing candidates for diabetes synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators. These mediators,
management. The NPs containing these chemicals could such as cytokines and chemokines, play an important role
be used as oral or injectable diabetic control medications. in the initiation and maintenance of inflammation.

Volume 4 Issue 1 (2025) 26 doi: 10.36922/gtm.5840