Zinc oxide nanoparticles show antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin-induced Type 1 and 2 diabetic rats

• Published in: Nanomedicine (London, England) Vol. 9; no. 1; p. 89
• Main Authors: Umrani, Rinku D, Paknikar, Kishore M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-01-2014
• Subjects: Animals; Blood Glucose - drug effects; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - pathology; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents - administration & dosage; Hypoglycemic Agents - chemistry; Insulin - blood; Liver - drug effects; Nanoparticles - administration & dosage; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Zinc Oxide - administration & dosage; Zinc Oxide - chemistry
• ISSN: 1748-6963
• DOI: 10.2217/nnm.12.205

The correlation of diabetes and an imbalance in zinc homeostasis makes zinc-based therapy an attractive proposition. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were evaluated for antidiabetic effects and safety.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg) were tested for antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin-induced Type 1 and 2 diabetic rats. A single-dose pharmacokinetic study, cytotoxicity, hemolysis, acute and subacute toxicity tests, and mechanism-of-action studies were performed.
Oral administration of zinc oxide nanoparticles resulted in significant antidiabetic effects--that is, improved glucose tolerance, higher serum insulin (70%), reduced blood glucose (29%), reduced nonesterified fatty acids (40%) and reduced triglycerides (48%). Nanoparticles were systemically absorbed resulting in elevated zinc levels in the liver, adipose tissue and pancreas. Increased insulin secretion and superoxide dismutase activity were also seen in rat insulinoma (RIN-5F) cells. Nanoparticles were safe up to a 300 mg/kg dose in rats.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles are a promising antidiabetic agent warranting further studies.