Bifunctional Antidiabetic-Anticancer Active Vitamins and Minerals: Drug Delivery Systems Enhancement

Abstract

Ofodire Emeka

Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients required for normal development and function of human body They are known to be deficient in chronic illness like diabetes mellitus and cancer. Bifunctional antidiabetic and anticancer vitamins and minerals have effective dual functions and roles in the management of diabetes and cancer. This is due to their unique ability to interact and interfere in the pathways implicated in both diseases. Examples of these bifunctional anticancer-antidiabetic vitamins and minerals include: 1. Vitamins: vitamin A, B, C, D, E and K 2. Minerals and trace elements: Zinc, Selenium, Manganese and vanadium. These agents are active alone or when combined with conventional therapeutic drugs. Drug delivery systems are methods that assist the regulated delivery of pharmaceutical agents to the body by enhancing their pharmacokinetic properties and improving their bioavailability, using mainly nanotechnology principles. Examples of these nanoparticles include chitosan, alginate, solid lipid nanoparticles and liposomes. The aim of this review is to describe the roles of these bifunctional antidiabetic-anticancer vitamins and minerals in the management of both diseases. And also, to highlight the importance of the various drug delivery systems in greatly enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of these bifunctional vitamins and minerals.

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