Biochemical and molecular evaluation of resveratrol and selenium nanoparticles in managing type 2 diabetes and its complications

Abstract

Abstract The therapeutic potential of dietary polyphenols, such as resveratrol (Res) and elemental selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), has gained increasing attention for the treatment and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, we investigated a novel therapeutic strategy using chitosan-stabilized Res/SeNPs (CS/Res/SeNPs) in a mouse model of T2DM induced by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding combined with multiple low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) injections. We evaluated the effects of these nanoparticles on glucose and insulin levels, oxidative/antioxidant balance, expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes, and inflammatory mediators using biochemical, histopathological, and molecular docking analyses. Treatment with free Res, CS/Res/SeNPs-5, CS/Res/SeNPs-10, and Metformin (Met) improved hyperglycemia, insulin resistance (IR), and dyslipidemia, and normalized elevated liver and kidney biomarkers. These treatments also exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects. CS/Res/SeNPs-10 showed the most potent hepatoprotective and anti-diabetic effects. The docking results revealed that Res binds to key insulin signaling proteins, such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Collectively, our findings highlight the therapeutic promise of CS/Res/SeNPs in managing T2DM complications and suggest a cost-effective strategy to enhance health outcomes and quality of life in diabetic patients.