Page 35 - GTM-4-1

Global Translational Medicine Phytonanotherapy in cancer and diabetes care

Table 8. Advantages and disadvantages of algae‑derived NPs for diabetes management
Advantages Disadvantages
Algae-derived NPs can imitate insulin's effect, allowing cells to take Research is still in its infancy, and clinical validation is required.
in more glucose.
This method may benefit people with insulin resistance or type 2 Efficacy may differ across individuals, necessitating personalized dosing.
diabetes by reducing their dependency on exogenous insulin.
Algae are a renewable and abundant source of NPs that adhere to It can be difficult to standardize and control the quality of algae-derived NPs.
eco-friendly principles.
Algae-derived NPs can be prepared for oral administration, giving Stability and bioavailability of the formulation must be optimized.
a non-invasive and simple therapy option.
NPs can be tailored to deliver drugs to specific diabetic tissues Targeted formulation development and optimization can be difficult.
while minimizing off-target effects.
Long-term safety and potential negative effects necessitate extensive research.
Potential allergic responses or side effects must be evaluated.
Ensuring production reproducibility and scalability might be difficult.
It is critical to adhere to regulatory standards for safety and quality.
Abbreviation: NP: Nanoparticle.

Chronic inflammation is intimately linked to oxidative When there is an imbalance between the creation of ROS
stress, which arises when there is an imbalance between the and the body’s ability to neutralize them with antioxidants,
body’s ability to neutralize ROS. Algae-derived chemicals oxidative stress arises. 80,81 Diabetes can increase oxidative
frequently contain antioxidant capabilities, which aid stress due to a variety of causes, including raised blood
in the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation. glucose levels, increased ROS generation, and reduced
Algae-derived NPs can influence the immune system, antioxidant defense mechanisms. This oxidative stress can
assisting in the regulation of the immune response and the cause cellular damage, inflammation, and the development
prevention of excessive inflammation. This regulation may of diabetic problems.
be particularly crucial in reducing immune-related tissue
and organ damage in diabetes. Astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment found in microalgae
and shellfish, is well known for its antioxidant qualities. It
As chronic inflammation can harm the can neutralize free radicals, scavenge ROS, and minimize
microvasculature, leading to problems including diabetic oxidative damage to cells and tissues. Phlorotannin,
retinopathy and nephropathy, compounds derived from on the other hand, are polyphenolic chemical found in
algae may help support the function of small blood arteries, brown algae (seaweed) that possess high antioxidant
hence reducing these issues. 74,75 activity. Researchers have investigated the encapsulating
Chronic inflammation in type 1 diabetes can contribute of astaxanthin, phlorotannin, or other algae-derived
to the death of pancreatic beta cells, which produce insulin. antioxidants into NPs to harness the therapeutic effects of
NPs generated from algae may help protect these cells from these antioxidants for diabetes treatment. 82-84 NPs can boost
inflammatory damage. By lowering chronic inflammation, these antioxidants’ solubility and bioavailability, ensuring
algae-derived NPs may help prevent or reduce diabetes- that a greater proportion reaches target tissues and cells.
related complications such as cardiovascular disease, NPs can be tailored to progressively release antioxidants,
neuropathy, and nephropathy. Algae-derived NPs can giving long-term protection against oxidative stress.
be used to supplement traditional anti-inflammatory Functionalized NPs can be directed to specific areas inside
treatments, providing a natural and perhaps safer the body, such as pancreatic cells or vascular endothelium,
alternative to synthetic medications. 76-79
where oxidative stress is particularly apparent in diabetes.
7.2.4. Antioxidant activity By encapsulating antioxidants within NPs, the risk of side
effects or interactions with other drugs may be reduced.
Algae contain antioxidants, including astaxanthin and
phlorotannin, that can help fight oxidative stress, which Combining multiple antioxidants within NPs may
is linked to the development and progression of diabetes. result in synergistic effects, offering comprehensive
These antioxidants may be therapeutically beneficial when oxidative damage protection. The utilization of algae-
encapsulated in NPs. derived antioxidants encapsulated in NPs is a viable path

Volume 4 Issue 1 (2025) 27 doi: 10.36922/gtm.5840