Synergistic effects of permeation enhancers and complexation hydrogels on the cell monolayer

Developing oral insulin formulations for the treatment of diabetes can greatly improve the quality of life of patients. Many different approaches have been investigated to address the problems associated with oral insulin delivery, but the bioavailability of oral insulin is still low, even in some of the most successful formulations. Insulin is rapidly degraded by the enzymes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is not transported across the epithelial barrier easily. The oral insulin formulation developed in this work makes use of complexation hydrogels for oral delivery of insulin. Use of complexation hydrogels for delivery of insulin may greatly increase the bioavailability of oral insulin.