Protective role of biosynthesised zinc oxide nanoparticles on pancreatic beta cells: an in vitro and in vivo approach.

Sulphonylureas are extensively used in the treatment of type II diabetes; however, these drugs have complications of hypoglycaemia and weight gain. The current study aims at developing a potent antidiabetic drug that has lesser side effects and better management of its associated conditions. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesised using Syzygium cumini seed extract with an average size of 18.92 nm. In vitro studies on rat insulinoma (RIN-5F) cells revealed that cells treated with synthesised ZnO NPs showed a dose-dependent increase in insulin secretion. Streptozotocin-fructose-induced type II diabetic rats treated with ZnO NPS exhibited a significant reduction (p < 0.01) in the blood glucose levels, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein levels and increase (p < 0.01) in serum insulin and liver antioxidant enzyme levels proclaiming its role as a hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic drug. Treatment of ZnO NPs in diabetic rats exhibited an increased number of beta cells which was responsible for its increased insulin levels and reduced glucose levels. From the overall observations, biosynthesised ZnO NPs exhibited an efficacious hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic rats, so it can be suggested as a potent antidiabetic drug.