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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) for Intracellular Targeting Applications
Published on: November 17, 2015
Oral insulin delivery by means of solid lipid nanoparticles
Bruno Sarmento1, Susana Martins, Domingos Ferreira
1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. bruno.sarmento@ff.up.pt
Abstract:
The aim of this work was to produce and characterize cetyl palmitate-based solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) containing insulin, and to evaluate the potential of these colloidal carriers for oral administration. SLN were prepared by a modified solvent emulsification-evaporation method based on a w/o/w double emulsion. The particle size, zeta potential and association efficiency of unloaded and insulin-loaded SLN were determined and were found to be around 350 nm, negatively charged and the insulin association efficiency was over 43%. After oral administration of insulin-loaded SLN to diabetic rats, a considerable hypoglycemic effect was observed during 24 hours. These results demonstrated that SLN promote the oral absorption of insulin.
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