NANOSUSPENSION-BASED FORMULATION OF ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS L.: IN VITRO EVALUATION FOR ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY

Diabetes mellitus, especially type 2 diabetes, is a global health challenge with growing prevalence and limitations in existing therapies. Herbal medicines present promising alternatives due to their safety, accessibility, and multi-target mechanisms. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br., widely recognized in Ayurvedic and folk medicine, exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including antidiabetic effects. This study aimed to develop and characterize a nanosuspension of A. scholaris leaf extract and evaluate its in vitro antidiabetic potential. The nanosuspension was formulated using the antisolvent precipitation method and characterized for physicochemical properties. Dynamic light scattering revealed an average particle size of 97.1 nm, Z-average of 86.9 nm, and a Polydispersity Index (PDI) of 0.398, confirming uniform distribution. Zeta potential (-17.8 mV) indicated moderate stability. In vitro enzyme inhibition assays demonstrated concentration-dependent α-glucosidase (51.55% at 1000 µL) and α-amylase (58.01% at 1000 µL) inhibition, though less potent than standard drugs. Overall, the nanosuspension shows potential as a natural adjunct in diabetes management.