Alginate/derivatives and their nanoparticles as anti-diabetic therapeutic via cancer, gut, liver and blood health modulation: A review.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder and is associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, liver disease, cancer and gut health. Alginate as carbohydrate receives a widespread application in food and medicine development. Through review of literature (2016-2024), this study identifies the relationship between physicochemical properties of alginate, its derivatives and nanoparticles with their biological activities in treating diabetes. Alginate is able to negate hyperglycemia through reducing inflammatory responses, promoting pancreatic insulin secretion, increasing peripheral insulin sensitivity, and inhibiting gastrointestinal digestion and absorption of sugar. It regulates blood pressure, lipid levels, gastrointestinal function and cancer to mitigate the development of diabetes due to these diseases. The anti-diabetic effectiveness of alginate is dependent on complex interplay of molecular weight, mannuronate/guluronate ratio, and type of graft or complex derivatized from it. Low molecular weight, guluronate-rich alginate prevents the pathological onset of diabetes. Low molecular weight, mannuronate-rich alginate functions as a glucose adsorber to prevent systemic glucose absorption. Low molecular weight alginate is apparently active against hypertension, hyperlipidemia and liver diseases, and promotes gastrointestinal health, which benefits diabetes control. Calcium crosslinked, sulfate/propylene glycol ester-grafted and vanadium complexed alginate show improved anti-diabetic actions. Alginate in nanoparticulate form could regulate glucose absorption, gut health and proliferative activity in conjunction with blood glucose homeostasis. Alginate, as a function of chemical compositions and its nanoparticulate characteristics, demonstrates a potential anti-diabetic activity that warrants its application as anti-diabetic therapeutic.