Encapsulation of <i>Gmelina arborea</i> Roxb. and <i>Spondias pinnata</i> (L. F.) Kurz. Aqueous Extracts in Nanoliposomes: Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Screening of Antidiabetic Activity

The present study aimed to synthesize, characterize, and determine the antidiabetic activity of Gmelina arborea and Spondias pinnata aqueous extract-encapsulated nanoliposomes (GAE-NL and SAE-NL). GAE-NL and SAE-NL were synthesized using modified emulsification and ultrasonication. The average size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of GAE-NL and SAE-NL were 307 ± 2 nm, 0.429 ± 0.006, -19.95 ± 2.47 mV, and 389 ± 1 nm, 0.366 ± 0.011, and -27.27 ± 0.75 mV, respectively. The synthesized GAE-NL and SAE-NL had encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 84.33% ± 0.37% and 95.42% ± 0.56%, and loading capacity (LC) of 2.49% ± 0.08% and 23.83% ± 0.44%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) data indicated successful encapsulation of G. arborea and S. pinnata extracts into liposome matrix. The GAE-NL showed increased/comparable α-glucosidase and dipeptide peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activities and glucose uptake potency. The SAE-NL demonstrated superior α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared to acarbose, a standard antidiabetic drug. In conclusion, GAE-NL and SAE-NL could be used to develop drug leads against diabetes mellitus.