A Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Diabetes and Its Complications in the Form of Co-Encapsulated Antioxidant Nanoparticles (NanoCAPs) of Ellagic Acid and Coenzyme Q₁₀: Preparation and Evaluation in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and is associated with serious complications caused by oxidative stress. The existing therapies only delay or reduce the severity of these complications but cannot completely prevent or reverse them. Antioxidant therapy is one promising alternative strategy to assuage these complications. However, the poor biopharmaceutical properties of many antioxidants limit their use as first line therapies. Here we propose a new therapeutic strategy to treat diabetes using biodegradable nano-co-encapsulated antioxidant particles (NanoCAPs) of ellagic acid (EA) and coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀). The combination of EA and CoQ₁₀ showed beneficial effects in ameliorating lipid peroxidation, dyslipidemia and in preventing organ damage in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Significantly lower dose of EA and CoQ₁₀ in NanoCAPs showed equal and sometimes more prominent results in comparison to simple suspension suggesting improved efficacy. Additionally, a statistically significant increase was observed in plasma insulin levels with nanoparticulate formulation of EA and CoQ₁₀ combination in comparison to simple suspension of EA, CoQ₁₀ alone or in combination as well as CoQ₁₀ nanoparticles. Collectively, this data indicates the potential use of NanoCAPs of EA and CoQ₁₀ in diabetes and reducing the associated complications.