ANTIDIABETIC POTENTIAL OF MULTISCALE POLYMERIC ELECTROSPUN NANOSCAFFOLDS LOADED WITH CUO NANOPARTICLES FROM SARGASSUM MUTICUM EXTRACT

Abstract

This study explores the in vitro antidiabetic potential of starch/PVA electrospun nanoscaffolds loaded with biogenic CuO nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized from Sargassum muticum extract. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed CuO NP formation via a distinct SPR peak at 270 nm, while Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses verified their structural integration into nanoscaffolds, revealing key functional groups and monoclinic crystallinity (JCPDS 05-0661). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging showed uniform NP dispersion within a porous fibrous network (100–150 nm diameter), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) demonstrated thermal stability up to 243°C. The CuO NPs exhibited moderate colloidal stability (zeta potential: −12.62 mV; size: 92.1 nm). In antidiabetic assays, the nanoscaffolds outperformed both algal extract and standalone CuO NPs, achieving 80.42% α-amylase and 79.32% α-glucosidase inhibition at 100 µg/mL, nearing the efficacy of acarbose. The dose-dependent inhibition highlights synergistic effects between CuO NPs and the polymer matrix, suggesting enhanced bioactive delivery. These findings position starch/PVA/CuO-NP nanoscaffolds as a promising platform for diabetes therapy, warranting further in vivo validation.