Sodium alginate-based nanoformulation: optimistic approach for enhancing the anti-obesogenic effect of rutin

Background Obesity is a global epidemic that affects all age groups and social classes. Prevention and treatment strategies against obesity have gained little long-term success. Obesity has been shown to be increased rapidly in the last few decades. It is anticipated that by 2030, up to half of the human population will be classified as obese or overweight. Objective This study aimed to develop a polymeric nanoformulation for the oral delivery of rutin in an obese rat model and to explore the anti-obesogenic impact of this nanosized rutin versus free rutin to provide insightful information for understanding the mechanism of action. Materials and methods Sodium alginate-based nanorutin was prepared and characterized by transmission electron microscope and Zetasizer. The obtained rutin nanoformulation and its free form were applied for obesity management in rats fed a high-fat diet. Results and conclusion The data demonstrated that rutin nanoparticles are made up of single spherical units with a diameter that ranged between 96.1 and 157 nm and exhibited negative zeta potential at −16.6 mV. Treatment of obese rats with chitocal, free rutin, or rutin nanoformulation provoked significant reduction in the body weight, thoracic circumference, BMI, and Lee index. Also, they elicited a significant drop in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, toll-like receptor 4, nuclear factor kappa B, and leptin levels associated with a significant rise in serum adiponectin and spexin levels. Furthermore, treatment of obese rats with chitocal or rutin nanoformulation elicited significant reduction in body length and abdominal circumference along with significant enhancement in serum high-density lipoprotein level. In conclusion, this approach provides a sparkling proof for the anti-obesogenic potential of rutin nanoformulation through its hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory effects as well as its inhibitory action on hyperleptinemia and adipogenesis. The superior antiobesity impact of the formulated nanorutin than its free form may be attributed to the enhancement of the solubility and bioavailability by nanoencapsulation.