Synthesis and antidiabetic activity of selenium nanoparticles in the presence of polysaccharides from Catathelasma ventricosum

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were prepared by adding Catathelasma ventricosum polysaccharides (CVPs) to the redox system of selenite and ascorbic acid. Taking particle size as an investigation index, the optimal synthesis conditions of CVPs-SeNPs were obtained by orthogonal test. Herein, the diameter, morphology, and stability of the CVPs-SeNPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, the antidiabetic activities of CVPs-SeNPs were evaluated by STZ (streptozocin)-induced diabetic mice. The obtained results showed that, optimum synthesis conditions of CVPs-SeNPs were: ultrasonic time 60 min, concentration of Vc 0.04 M, reaction time 2 h, pH 7.0. Under these conditions, mean diameter of the synthesized CVPs-SeNPs was around 49.73 nm. TEM of CVPs-SeNPs prepared in optimal conditions showed individual and spherical nanostructure. CVPs-SeNPs (particle size of about 50 nm) could be stable for approximately 3 months at 4 °C, but only 1 month at 25 °C. The results on serum profiles and antioxidant enzymes levels revealed that CVPs-SeNPs had a potential antidiabetic effect. In addition, CVPs-SeNPs showed significantly higher antidiabetic activity (p < 0.05) than other selenium preparations such as SeNPs, selenocysteine, sodium selenite.