Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors, often known as gliptins, have been used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). They may be combined with other medications as an additional treatment or used alone as a monotherapy. In addition to insulin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, and metformin, these molecules appear as possible therapeutic options. Oxadiazole rings have been employed in numerous different ways during drug development efforts. It has been shown that including them in the pharmacophore increases the amount of ligand that may be bound. The exceptional hydrogen bond acceptor properties of oxadiazoles and the distinct hydrocarbon bonding potential of their regioisomers have been established. Beside their anti-diabetic effects, oxadiazoles display a wide range of pharmacological properties. In this study, we made the assumption that molecules containing oxadiazole rings may afford a different approach to the treatment of diabetes, not only for controlling glycemic levels but also for preventing atherosclerosis progression and other complications associated with diabetes. It was observed that oxadiazole fusion with benzothiazole, 5-(2,5,2-trifluoroethoxy) phenyl, β-homophenylalanine, 2-methyl-2-{5-(4-chlorophenyl), diamine-bridged bis-coumarinyl, 5-aryl-2-(6′-nitrobenzofuran-2′-yl), nitrobenzofuran, and/or oxindole leads to potential anti-diabetic activity.

In this study, biowaste derived carbon dots (BCDs) were synthesized from sugarcane bagasse via a hydrothermal route and incorporated into biodegradable, mechanically robust hydrogels for stimuli-responsive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) delivery. BCDs, characterized by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence analyses, exhibited abundant surface functional groups and excellent fluorescence properties. The integration of BCDs into the hydrogel matrix enhanced the mechanical strength, imparted pH-responsive drug release behavior, and maintained the structural integrity under physiological conditions. In vitro release studies using ibuprofen as a model drug demonstrated faster release under acidic conditions (pH 3.8) than under neutral and alkaline pH, aligning with pathological microenvironments. The drug release kinetics were best described by the Higuchi model, indicating a diffusion-controlled mechanism. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed the high biocompatibility of both free BCDs and BCD-loaded hydrogels, with sustained cell viability over five days. The combination of bio-derived nanomaterials, tunable release properties, and excellent cytocompatibility highlight the potential of this system for targeted and environmentally sustainable drug delivery applications. This approach provides a scalable and green route for developing advanced biomedical platforms from agricultural waste with significant implications for controlled drug release and tissue-compatible therapeutic interventions.