Alpha-amylase enzyme inhibitory activity of sodium polyacrylate from diaper-based hydrogel formulated nanocellulose from Arundo donax

This study repurposes extracted sodium polyacrylate (SP) as a sustainable hydrogel matrix to deliver Arundo donax -derived nanocellulose and reduce the environmental impact of disposable diapers. We developed a nanocellulose-embedded SP hydrogel designed to control alpha-amylase inhibition and regulate postprandial glucose. Characterization confirmed the thermal stability of the composite up to 190 °C and demonstrated a sustained release profile effective up to 60 °C. In vitro assays revealed prolonged alpha-amylase inhibition at 80 μg/mL, maintained for over 24 h. Complementary molecular docking analysis identified a high binding affinity (−9.4 kcal/mol) between the cellulose‑sodium acrylate complex and alpha-amylase, outperforming several conventional inhibitors. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for the hydrogel's inhibitory efficacy. This research offers a dual-purpose solution that mitigates diaper waste and provides a cost-effective, 24-h therapeutic strategy for glycemic control by transforming non-biodegradable waste into a high-value biomedical formulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of diaper-derived SP used for sustained-release antidiabetic applications.