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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Oral bioavailability of insulin contained in polysaccharide nanoparticles
Bruno Sarmento1, António Ribeiro, Francisco Veiga
1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto, 4050-047, Porto, Portugal. bruno.sarmento@ff.up.pt
Abstract:
The pharmacological activity of insulin-loaded dextran sulfate/chitosan nanoparticles was evaluated following oral dosage in diabetic rats. Nanoparticles were mucoadhesive and negatively charged with a mean size of 500 nm, suitable for uptake within the gastrointestinal tract. Insulin association efficiency was over 70% and was released in a pH-dependent manner under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Orally delivered nanoparticles lowered basal serum glucose levels in diabetic rats around 35% with 50 and 100 IU/kg doses sustaining hypoglycemia over 24 h. Pharmacological availability was 5.6 and 3.4% for the 50 and 100 IU/kg doses, respectively, a significant increase over 1.6%, determined for oral insulin alone in solution. Confocal microscopic examinations of FITC-labeled insulin nanoparticles showed adhesion to rat intestinal epithelium, and internalization of insulin within the intestinal mucosa. Encapsulation of insulin into dextran sulfate/chitosan nanoparticles was a key factor in the improvement of the bioavailability of its oral delivery over insulin solution.
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