Nanoliposome-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of diabetes mellitus: a review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the leading world health complications, with chronic hyperglycemia that is due to a lack of insulin production or insulin action. Although many pharmacological agents are available, the current treatment modality is hampered by low bioavailability, rapid drug clearance, frequent dosing, and adverse effects. Such difficulties have been especially pronounced in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, where long-term glycemic control that does not undermine patient compliance has been hard to reach. Nanotechnology has become one of the most revolutionary tools in drug delivery to achieve targeted, sustained, and more effective therapeutic outcomes in the past few years. Nanoliposomes are nanoscale vesicles formed from lipid bilayers and have exhibited remarkable potential due to their biocompatibility, ability to host both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, and controlled release. Nanoliposomes have the potential of improving solubility of drugs, protect therapeutic agents against enzyme activities, and produce a controlled drug release, which offers a new possibility in the treatment of diabetes. In addition to glucose-lowering, targeted liposomal treatment approaches combat major complications, such as cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy, through increased myocardial protection, renal resilience, and ocular drug exposure. This review provides a thorough overview of the progress, formulation methods, and therapeutic value of nanoliposomal-based delivery systems targeting antidiabetic drugs. It also focuses on the recent trend in research, the challenges of clinical translation, and the future of nanoliposomes as a paradigm-altering platform in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.