Developments in polymeric devices for oral insulin delivery.
BACKGROUND
Development of improved oral insulin administration is necessary for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, to overcome the problem of daily subcutaneous injections. The vast amount of literature data on oral insulin delivery prompted us to cover this area in a review.


OBJECTIVE
Insulin delivery using polymeric devices is discussed, with an ultimate aim of addressing the technological development in this area.


METHODS
The development of oral delivery devices for insulin using hydrogels and micro/nanoparticles is discussed with reference to polymers. These efforts must be directed to increase the residence time of insulin near the intestinal absorptive cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The published results on oral insulin delivery devices, particularly on inter-polymer complexes of the grafted copolymers, are discussed in greater depth. The use of absorption enhancers like cyclodextrins, bile salts and surfactants is covered. The state-of-the-art technology and challenges in this area are discussed, with typical examples.
Babu
V Ramesh
VR
Reliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Industrial Biotechnology Group, Dhirubhai Ambani Life Sciences Centre, Thane Belapur Road, Rabale, Navi Mumbai 400 701, India.
Patel
Pradip
P
Mundargi
Raghavendra C
RC
Rangaswamy
Vidhya
V
Aminabhavi
Tejraj M
TM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008863:Microspheres; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical
D005079:Excipients; D020100:Hydrogels; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D011108:Polymers