Development of stevioside Pluronic-F-68 copolymer based PLA-nanoparticles as an antidiabetic nanomedicine

Stevioside (FDA approved nontoxic natural non-caloric sweetener) has been reported to have very good antidiabetic potential but its use as therapeutic drug is restricted in human due to its deprived intestinal absorption and poor bioavailability. We have nano-bioconjugated this molecule on biodegradable Pluronic-F-68 copolymer based PLA nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation method (spherical, size range 110-130 nm) to overcome deprived intestinal absorption and to enhance the bioavailability. The drug loading calculated by the standard calibrated HPLC was 16.32 +/- 4% (w/w). The in vitro release study showed the initial burst followed by the sustained release. The half release and complete release were observed on 25 +/- 4 h and 200 +/- 10 h respectively. This newly formulated nanostevioside showed very high potential to be used as antidiabetic nanomedicine for safe and effective use in vivo. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.