Oligoarginine-modified biodegradable nanoparticles improve the intestinal absorption of insulin

The strategy of oral administration of bioactive macromolecules using cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) is restricted to covalent linkage or electrostatic interaction between the cargo and CPPs. In the present study, we devised an approach utilizing CPP-functionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles as a carrier for oral delivery of insulin. Pegylated PLGA nanoparticles were modified with poly(arginine)8 enantiomers (l-R8 and d-R8) via a maleimide-mediated covalent conjugating procedure. The physical and chemical features of the nanoparticles were characterized, which confirmed the successful immobilization of R8 to the nanoparticles. Using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model, R8-modified nanoparticles were found to exhibit significantly increased cellular uptake and transportation. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the insulin-loaded nanoparticles were evaluated with rats by intestinal administration. Compared to the unmodified nanoparticles, l-R8 and d-R8 modified-nanoparticles increased the relative bioavailabilities of insulin by 3.2- and 4.4-times, meanwhile, improved the hypoglycemic effects by 2.5- and 3.7-times, respectively. Neither of the R8-modified nanoparticles caused perceptible histological toxicities. The results implied that surface modification of biodegradable nanoparticles with poly(arginine)8, especially with the d-form enantiomer, showed remarkable advancement in promoting the intestinal absorption of insulin. This delivery system is also promising for the delivery of a wide variety of bioactive macromolecules by oral administration.