Formulation and characterization of an oily-based system for oral delivery of insulin

The present work explored the possibility of formulating an oral insulin delivery system by combining the advantages of nanoencapsulation and the use of oily vehicle. The parameters affecting formulation such as association efficiency were characterized. The preparation was evaluated for its chemical, physical and biological stability. The preparation has unimodal particle size distribution with a mean diameter of 108 ± 9 nm. Insulin was protected from gastric enzymes by incorporation into lipid-based formulation. The results of RP HPLC and ELISA indicated that insulin was able to withstand the preparation procedure. Insulin in the preparations was stable for a period of one month at storage temperatures of 4 and 25 °C. It was also biologically active and stable as demonstrated by the remarkable reduction of blood glucose levels of the STZ-diabetic rats after oral administration of the preparation. Moreover, hypoglycemic effect of nanoparticles administered orally was sustained for a longer period of time compared to the subcutaneous injection. These results clearly evidenced the ability of the nanoparticles to enhance the pharmacological response of insulin when given orally and could be used to deliver other peptides.