Oral Honokiol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: A shielding nanotherapeutic strategy to attenuate STZ-induced type 1 diabetes via targeted modulation of oxidative stress and apoptotic signaling.

This study aimed to analyze the protective effects of Honokiol-loaded oral solid lipid nanoparticles (Honokiol-SLNs) on pancreatic beta-cells (β-cells) in an experimental model of type 1 diabetes. Streptozotocin (STZ) injection (150 mg/kg) was used to induce diabetes in male Swiss mice. Honokiol-SLNs were administered daily during the 28-day experimental phase, commencing after the onset of hyperglycemia. After the experiment, β-cell activity, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation were assessed in pancreatic tissue and blood. In vitro experiments have preliminarily validated the ability of Honokiol-SLNs to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase, suggesting potential anti-diabetic effects. Furthermore, administering Honokiol-SLNs (5 mg/kg) to animals significantly reduced blood glucose levels, as well as food and water consumption, and increased body weight, serum insulin levels, and pancreatic insulin levels. Additionally, it was demonstrated that Honokiol-SLNs inhibited apoptosis by reducing the expression of cleaved caspase-3, exhibited beneficial antioxidant properties by enhancing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and mitigated inflammation by suppressing nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Honokiol-SLNs substantially reversed pancreatic histological and spectroscopic aberrations. Moreover, reduced oxido-nitrosative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines correlated with raised antioxidant capacity. These results imply that by suppressing oxidative stress and triggering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic actions, Honokiol-SLNs may shield pancreatic β-cells and enhance their function.