Polymeric hydrogels for oral insulin delivery

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Science
• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Oral insulin delivery faces significant challenges due to degradation in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and poor membrane permeability.
• Numerous carrier systems have been developed, but none have achieved clinical acceptance for human insulin therapy.
• Polymeric hydrogels are a promising approach, offering protection from enzymatic degradation and pH-dependent release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in hydrogel-based devices for oral insulin delivery.
• To critically assess current literature and compare findings from various research laboratories.
• To highlight the potential and limitations of hydrogel systems in oral insulin therapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on hydrogel-based oral insulin delivery systems.
• Critical assessment of data on hydrogel swelling/deswelling mechanisms and insulin release kinetics.
• Comparison of results from different research groups investigating micro and nanoparticle hydrogel devices.

Main Results:

• Polymeric hydrogels protect insulin from degradation in the stomach's acidic environment.
• Hydrogel swelling and deswelling behaviors, influenced by pH, regulate insulin release in the intestine.
• Despite extensive research on biopolymer-based micro and nanoparticle hydrogels, satisfactory clinical outcomes for human insulin therapy are yet to be achieved.

Conclusions:

• Hydrogel-based systems represent a significant area of research for oral insulin delivery.
• Further development is needed to overcome limitations and achieve clinically acceptable devices for human application.
• Continued research and comparative analysis are crucial for advancing oral insulin therapy.