Formulation and evaluation of phytosomes containing garuga pinnata extract for diabetes treatment

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring long-term therapeutic management, and herbal formulations offer promising alternatives due to their safety and multitargeted action. The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate phytosomes containing hydroalcoholic extract of Garuga pinnata for enhanced antidiabetic activity. The hydroalcoholic extraction yielded 8.50% w/w of extract, which was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and quantitative estimation of alkaloids. Phytosomal formulations were prepared using the thin-film hydration method and evaluated for particle size, entrapment efficiency, in-vitro antidiabetic activity, and drug release behavior. Among twelve formulations, batch F10 exhibited the smallest particle size (228.90 nm) and highest entrapment efficiency (76.80%). In-vitro α-amylase inhibition studies demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibitory activity of the phytosomal formulation, with an IC₅₀ value of 293.92 µg/mL compared to 99.76 µg/mL for acarbose. The optimized formulation showed sustained drug release up to 12 hours, with release kinetics best fitting the first-order and Higuchi models, indicating diffusion-controlled release. These findings suggest that phytosomal delivery of Garuga pinnata extract enhances its physicochemical and biological performance, making it a promising approach for the management of diabetes mellitus.