Novel biodegradable and pH-sensitive poly(ester amide) microspheres for oral insulin delivery

Biodegradable and pH-sensitive PEAs based on dual amino acids are designed, synthesized, and characterized. Insulin can be loaded into the PEA microspheres by a solid-in-oil-in-oil technique with high encapsulation efficiency. The feasibility of PEA microspheres as oral insulin delivery carriers is evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The hydrophobic leucine groups on PEA seem to play an important role in the pH-dependent release mechanism and cytotoxicity of PEA microspheres. Oral administration of insulin-loaded PEA microspheres to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at 60 IU kg(-1) is able to reduce fasting plasma glucose levels to 49.4%. These results indicate that PEA microspheres are potential new vehicles for insulin oral delivery.