Network Pharmacology-Based Investigation of the Anti diabetic Potential of L-arginine-Encapsulated Lipid Nanoparticles Synthesized from Trigonella foenum-graecum

Abstract

Diabetes, a globally prevalent chronic condition, necessitates effective therapeutic approaches. This research investigated the roles of L-arginine and Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek) in diabetes management while evaluating lipid nanocarriers synthesized from fenugreek seed oil for drug delivery. Network pharmacology's implications in diabetes research were also explored. Compounds Daidzein and L-arginine emerged as potential anti-diabetic agents, with L-arginine selected as the lead compound. Docking analysis revealed L-arginine's strong interactions with three Diabetes-target genes (CYP1A2, CYP2C19, AND NFKB) involving multiple hydrogen bonds and excellent binding energies. Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) and Total Phenolic Content (TPC) assessments revealed higher concentrations in seed extracts than in oil extracts. UV-Vis spectroscopy identified distinctive absorbance peaks for simple and L-arginine encapsulated lipid nanoparticles at 415 and 521 nm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) affirmed the nanoparticles' average size of 100.2 nm. In contrast, the Zeta-potential analysis indicated a neutral charge of -9.37 mV, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the nanoparticles' amorphous nature. Synthesized nanoparticles demonstrated remarkable antioxidative efficacy with 84.44% inhibition and an IC50 value of 40.5, surpassing control (62.84%: IC50-231.27), fenugreek seed extract (59.73%: 208.98), and oil extract (61.03%: 196.6). L-arginine encapsulated lipid nanoparticles exhibited substantial inhibition of albumin denaturation (81.10%) and alpha-amylase (89.30%), outperforming metformin (78.43% at 1000 µg/mL). Notably, hemolysis percentage stood out favorably at 10.54%, in contrast, to control (91.70%), fenugreek seed extract (39.17%), and fenugreek oil extract (46.08%). In conclusion, this study offers an understanding of potential anti-diabetic agents and innovative drug delivery mechanisms. These quantified results hold promise for advancing therapeutic interventions in diabetes management, bridging crucial knowledge gaps, and guiding future research directions.