In-vitro assay studies and molecular docking of functionalized chitosan decorated vanadium pentoxide nano-agents as an antidiabetic drug.

This study aims to enhance the antidiabetic potential of Vanadium pentoxide (VO) by synthesizing chitosan-based nanoparticles (NPs). Chitosan and its derivatives were used to fabricate VO NPs, ensuring enhanced antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. Surface topography was analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM), revealing bioactive sites on the NPs with improved electron-transfer capability, as confirmed by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Furthermore, NPs were exploited for their possible antioxidant and antidiabetic potency by using different in-vitro assays. Among the fabricated NPs, chitosan-salicylaldehyde decorated VO NPs (CHVD) exhibited highest antidiabetic activity with 72.69 ± 0.76 % inhibition against α-amylase, 69.15 ± 0.58 % inhibition against α-glucosidase, and glycemic diffusion retardation index (GDRI) of 60.33 ± 0.47 %. Importantly, CHVD did not inhibit the growth of Bifidobacterium bacteria, as shown by disc-diffusion assay and exhibit least cytotoxicity among all NPs as tested on HacaT cell line. Molecular docking studies revealed strong binding interactions between CHVD and the target enzymes, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase supporting its inhibitory potential. This work demonstrates the promising enhanced antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of chitosan-coated VO NPs.