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Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Complex Polysaccharide-Based Nanocomposites for Oral Insulin Delivery
Mar Collado-González1,2,3, M Cristina Ferreri2, Alessandra R Freitas2
1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
Stable polyelectrolyte nanocomposites for oral insulin delivery were synthesized using alginate, chitosan, and other polymers. Optimal chitosan content yielded nanocomposites of 400-600 nm, showing enhanced stability and complete insulin release.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Polyelectrolyte nanocomposites often suffer from instability and aggregation.
- Developing stable nanocomposite systems is crucial for effective oral drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize stable polyelectrolyte nanocomposites for oral insulin delivery.
- To investigate the role of chitosan in nanocomposite formation and stability.
- To evaluate the in vitro release of insulin from the synthesized nanocomposites.
Main Methods:
- Nanocomposite synthesis via Ca2+-induced gelation of alginate and electrostatic interactions.
- Dynamic light scattering and LUMiSizer for stability assessment.
- Scanning electron microscopy for morphology analysis.
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for insulin release studies.
Main Results:
- Chitosan content critically influenced nanocomposite size, with an optimal range of 400-600 nm hydrodynamic diameter.
- Synthesized nanocomposites demonstrated enhanced stability under varying ionic strength and pH.
- Scanning electron microscopy confirmed rounded nanocomposite morphology.
- HPLC analysis showed complete insulin release under simulated physiological conditions.
Conclusions:
- A stable polyelectrolyte nanocomposite formulation for oral insulin delivery was successfully developed.
- Chitosan plays a key role in controlling the size and stability of these nanocomposites.
- The developed system shows promise for oral insulin delivery due to its stability and drug release profile.
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