# Tailored Phytochitosomes as Targeted Nanotherapy for Alveolar Bone Regeneration in Diabetic Obese Rats

**Authors:** Yosra S. R. Elnaggar, Mariam Zewail, Eman M. Salem, Wafaa Y. Alghonemy, Nevien M. Ahmed, Rania A. Hanafy, Waiel Daghistan, Ali M. Alaseem, Dina Khodeer, Elsayed G. Zaki, Ahmad N. Almougy, Mona A. Moustafa

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ph19030506 · Pharmaceuticals · 2026-03-19

## TL;DR

A new targeted nanotherapy using luteolin and chitosan vesicles improves alveolar bone regeneration in diabetic and obese rats.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel chitosan-based delivery system that enhances drug stability and therapeutic outcomes in metabolic disorders.

## Key findings

- LU-CHV showed superior therapeutic performance compared to free luteolin and untreated controls.
- Encapsulation in chitosan vesicles improved drug stability, bioavailability, and anti-inflammatory effects.
- LU-CHV enabled sustained drug release and better bone regeneration in diabetic and obese rats.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Individuals with diabetes often experience difficulties in the healing of their alveolar sockets. Furthermore, obesity is strongly associated with the development and progression of type 2 diabetes through complex metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms. The current study provides new insights into the use of Luteolin (LU) and/or chitosan vesicles (CHV) to accelerate bone regeneration, highlighting a biologically and clinically relevant approach that leverages implants as a clinical solution. Methods: Sixty rats were randomly categorized into five groups: Group I (negative control); Group II (positive control), diabetic and obese rats; Group III (LU-treated), diabetic and obese rats with an extraction socket loaded with LU; Group IV (CHV-treated), diabetic and obese rats with an extraction socket loaded with CHV; and Group V (LU-CHV), diabetic and obese rats with an extraction socket loaded with LU-CHV. After 2 and 6 weeks, rats’ mandibles underwent histological, histomorphometric, biochemical, and statistical analyses. Results: The results demonstrated significant differences among the experimental groups. The LU-CHV formulation showed superior therapeutic performance compared with free luteolin and the untreated control group. In vitro release studies revealed sustained, controlled release from LU-CHV, whereas free luteolin exhibited rapid drug release. Additionally, LU-CHV significantly enhanced biological activity, as evidenced by improved anti-inflammatory and/or therapeutic markers compared to the other groups. These findings indicate that encapsulation within chitosan vesicles improved drug stability, bioavailability, and overall therapeutic efficiency. Conclusions: LU-CHV demonstrated superior efficacy compared to free luteolin, highlighting the advantage of chitosan-based vesicular delivery systems. LU-CHV not only enhanced controlled drug release and therapeutic outcomes but also presents a promising platform that could significantly advance targeted drug delivery strategies in inflammatory and metabolic disorders. The findings suggest that LU-CHV represents a transformative approach in improving treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** Luteolin (PubChem CID 5280445), chitosan (PubChem CID 129662530)
- **Diseases:** diabetes (MONDO:0005015), obesity (MONDO:0011122), type 2 diabetes (MONDO:0005148)
- **Species:** Rattus norvegicus (taxon 10116)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Obese (MESH:D009765), type 2 diabetes (MESH:D003924), Diabetic (MESH:D003920), inflammatory (MESH:D007249)
- **Chemicals:** LU-CHV (-), chitosan (MESH:D048271), LU (MESH:D047311)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116]

## Full text

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## Figures

9 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13029201/full.md

## References

39 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13029201/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13029201