Janus nanofibers with tunable structures (modulation of width, interface and volume) can be prepared using spinnerets with varying port angles.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L) is a plant traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes. It contains an unusual amino acid, 4‐hydroxyisoleucine, demonstrated to have insulinotropic and antidiabetic properties in animal models. Here we examine the effect of 4‐hydroxyisoleucine on liver function and blood glucose in two rat models of insulin resistance, fructose‐fed rats and streptozotocin‐induced diabetes type 2. In fructose‐fed rats, levels of glucose and liver damage marker aspartate transaminase were markedly (84% and 93%, respectively) and significantly elevated compared with controls (p < 0.001 for both). Alanine transaminase was elevated slightly (18%), and all markers were restored to near control values after treatment with 4‐hydroxyisoleucine at 50 mg/kg per day for 8 weeks, the effect being significant (p < 0.01) for all markers. This prolonged exposure to 4‐hydroxyisoleucine was well tolerated in control animals and did not alter levels of glucose or liver damage markers significantly. In diabetic rats, treatment with 4‐hydroxyisoleucine did not affect glucose or liver damage markers, but did improve HDL‐cholesterol levels (31% increase, p < 0.05). These findings indicate 4‐hydroxyisoleucine as a useful and well‐tolerated treatment for insulin resistance, both directly as a hypoglycaemic and also as a protective agent for the liver. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is on the increase worldwide. Of growing concern, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in children and youths is increasing rapidly and mirrors the increasing burden of childhood obesity. There are many risk factors associated with the condition; some are due to lifestyle, but many are beyond our control, such as genetics. There is an urgent need to develop better therapeutics for the prevention and management of this complex condition since current medications often cause unwanted side effects, and poorly managed diabetes can result in the onset of related comorbidities. Naturally derived compounds have gained momentum for preventing and managing several complex conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Here, we provide an update on the benefits and limitations of fenugreek and its components as a therapeutic for type 2 diabetes, including its bioavailability and interaction with the microbiome.

There are over 40 identified human disorders that involve certain proteins folding incorrectly, accumulating in the body causing damage to cells and organs and causing disease. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is one of these protein misfolding disorders (PMDs) and involves human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) misfolding and accumulating in parts of the body, primarily in the pancreas, causing damage to islet cells and affecting glucose regulation. In this review, we have summarised our current understanding of what causes hIAPP to misfold, what conformations are found in different parts of the body with a particular focus on what is known about the structure of hIAPP and how this links to T2DM. Understanding the molecular basis behind these misfolding events is essential for understanding the role of hIAPP to develop better therapeutics since type 2 diabetes currently affects over 4.9 million people in the United Kingdom alone and is predicted to increase as our population ages.

Iron deficiency anaemia is a widespread global nutritional disorder, affecting almost a quarter of the global population and contributing to impaired cognitive development, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and weakened immune function. Despite its prevalence, oral iron supplementation remains problematic due to the poor solubility and low bioavailability of ferric supplements, coupled with the frequently experienced gastrointestinal side effects associated with ferrous iron salt supplements. Hemin, a chloride-ligated ferric analogue of heme, presents a potentially safer alternative. However, its poor solubility at neutral pH limits its practical application in oral supplementation. Here, we aimed to develop a novel formulation for hemin using electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibres, as a platform to enhance the aqueous solubility of hemin and thereby improve its bioavailability. Hemin at various concentrations was successfully encapsulated within PVP nanofibres. The nanofibres were characterised for their morphology, physicochemical properties, encapsulation efficiency and dissolution properties. Notably, the nanofibres dissolved rapidly in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4), forming hemin-PVP nanoparticles (10-80 nm in diameter) and larger aggregates (200-2000 nm in diameter) that maintained hemin in a soluble form. This approach achieved a total solubilised hemin concentration of 273 µM, representing an approximately 200-fold enhancement in solubility. These findings highlight the potential of electrospun hemin-PVP nanofibres as a promising component of an oral iron supplement, offering enhanced solubility and the potential of improved bioavailability for cellular uptake.

Background: Phytostanols are naturally occurring compounds that reduce blood cholesterol levels significantly. However, their aqueous insolubility poses formulation challenges. Aim: To formulate and characterize solid lipid nanoparticle carriers for phytostanol esters to enhance the bioavailability of phytostanols. Methods: Phytostanol ester solid lipid nanoparticles were formulated by the microemulsion method. They were characterized for particle size distribution, polydispersity index, shape, surface charge, entrapment efficiency, stability, chemical structure, and thermal properties. The uptake of the formulation by cell lines, HepG2 and HT-29, and its effect on cell viability were evaluated. Results: The formulation of solid lipid nanoparticles was successfully optimised by varying the type of lipids and their concentration relative to that of surfactants in the present study. The optimised formulation had an average diameter of (171 ± 9) nm, a negative surface charge of (− 23.0 ± 0.8) mV and was generally spherical in shape. We report high levels of drug entrapment at (89 ± 5)% in amorphous form, drug loading of (9.1 ± 0.5)%, nanoparticle yield of (67 ± 4)% and drug excipient compatibility. The biological safety and uptake of the formulations were demonstrated on hepatic and intestinal cell lines. Conclusion: Phytostanol ester solid lipid nanoparticles were successfully formulated and characterized. The formulation has the potential to provide an innovative drug delivery system for phytostanols which reduce cholesterol and have a potentially ideal safety profile. This can contribute to better management of one of the main risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.