pH sensitive insulin-loaded nanohydrogel increases the effect of oral insulin in diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: There are different methods for insulin administration in diabetic patient. Nano-hydrogel is one of the most talented drug carrier for its sensitivity to environmental stimulus.

Methods and results: NIPAAm–MAA–HEM copolymers were synthesized by radical chain reaction. The copolymers were characterized with Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transient electron microscopy (TEM). Copolymers were loaded with regular insulin by modified double emulsion method. Diabetic rats are used for feeding insulin-loaded nanohydrogel. Analysis of the results from the measurement of the amount of blood insulin from the rats blood that received insulin in nanohydrogel loaded form compared with rats that received pure insulin is significantly high, which confirm that insulin has been able to pass from the stomach acid barrier by nanohydrogel and is absorbed from the intestine. Blood sugar levels from tested rats indicate that with increasing amount of insulin, blood sugar levels fall down.

Conclusion: Our study confirms that insulin has been able to pass from the stomach acid barrier by nanohydrogel and be absorbed from the intestine.

Keywords:

• PH-sensitive nanohydrogels
• diabetes mellitus
• drug delivery
• insulin

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Science of Tabriz University for all supports provided. This work was funded by 2013 Drug Applied Research Center Grant.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Funding

This work was funded by 2013 Drug Applied Research Center Grant.