Natural Product-Inspired Vanadium Pentoxide Nanoparticles Unlock Diabetic Therapeutic Potential: In Vitro and In Silico Evaluation

Mimicking the action of insulin and inhibition of specific enzymes involved in glucose metabolism by vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) make it a candidate for diabetes control, but its low absorption, unpredictable change of oxidation state in body passage, and inadequate ability to bond with the intended site limit its activity. Here, okra extract-capped V₂O₅ nanoparticles (ONPs) are fabricated, which exhibit significant absorptivity, mucoadhesion, and control release by producing vanadate ions as an intermediate. Further, they have been exploited for the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic studies. Characterization results demonstrated the presence of okra extract over the surface of nanoparticles. A capped V₂O₅ nanodrug exhibited enhanced electroactive rough surface area with groove-shaped pores. Fabricated ONPs were exploited for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. Results achieved from in vitro studies and molecular docking indicate its inhibition properties with 80.00 ± 1.73% and 69.93 ± 1.86% efficiency against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively, without affecting the growth of probiotic <i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> and <i>Bifidobacterium bifidum</i> present in the human gut. The cytotoxicity on the HacaT cell line and the glucose uptake assay on the HepG2 cell line make it a promising candidate as an antidiabetic drug.