Natural Product–Based Nanocarriers for Precision Glycemic Control: Innovations in Diabetes Nanomedicine
Serunjogi Ruth
Department of Clinical Pharmacy Kampala International University Uganda
Email: ruth.serunjogi@studwc.kiu.ac.ug
ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and progressive vascular complications. Despite advances in pharmacotherapy, achieving sustained glycemic control without adverse effects remains challenging. Natural products including polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, and bioactive lipids exhibit potent antidiabetic properties, yet their clinical translation is limited by poor solubility, low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and non-specific tissue distribution. Recent advances in nanomedicine have enabled the development of natural product–based nanocarriers that not only deliver phytochemicals efficiently but also serve as functional biomaterials themselves. These nanocarriers, including chitosan nanoparticles, alginate nanogels, lipid-based systems, protein nanoparticles, and plant-derived extracellular vesicle–like nanostructures, offer biocompatibility, biodegradability, and intrinsic bioactivity. Precision glycemic control is achievable through targeted delivery to pancreatic β-cells, hepatocytes, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle, as well as glucose-responsive and stimuli-sensitive release systems. This review examines the integration of natural biomaterials and nanotechnology for diabetes management, highlighting mechanistic pathways, innovative design strategies, preclinical evidence, safety considerations, and translational challenges. Natural product–based nanocarriers represent a promising frontier in precision diabetes nanomedicine.
Keywords: diabetes nanomedicine, natural products, nanocarriers, precision glycemic control, phytochemicals.
CITE AS: Serunjogi Ruth (2026). Natural Product–Based Nanocarriers for Precision Glycemic Control: Innovations in Diabetes Nanomedicine. IDOSR JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 11(2):102-108. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJSR/2026/11.2.102108