Our proposal focuses on innovative formulations containing metallic complexes and plant extracts for diabetes treatment. The formulations were tested in vitro on human adipocyte cell models, showing a strong hypoglycemic effect due to the synergistic action of the two components. The plant extracts, derived from waste biomass of the agri-food industry, possess high antioxidant activity and interesting nutraceutical properties, due to their composition rich in polyphenols. Tests conducted on colon fibroblast cells demonstrated that the extracts significantly decrease the intestinal toxicity associated with metallic compounds when administered together. The combination of the two components has led to the development of highly effective and low-toxicity formulations, decreasing the required doses of the metal and, consequently, the side effects that could limit their therapeutic application.
The high hypoglycemic activity combined with low toxicity and the advantage of oral administration make these formulations promising candidates for preclinical and clinical studies aimed at evaluating their efficacy as potential antidiabetic drugs. A distinctive aspect is given by the combination of the effects of the metal compound and plant extracts on glycemic control, that allows to intervene on multiple causal factors of diabetes. Furthermore, the chemical composition of the extracts, rich in bioactive components, suggests a possible use also in the nutraceutical field, expanding their potential applications. An important added value lies in the use of waste biomass from the agri-food industry to produce plant extracts. This aspect responds to the need of companies interested in implementing entrepreneurial strategies oriented towards the circular economy, promoting economic development and environmental sustainability.
Italy