Biodegradable polymeric biomaterials as oral insulin carriers / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:The carriers made from biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric materials represent an exciting approach to increase the bioavailability and stability of oral y administered insulin by the chemical reaction or physical encapsulation of insulin. OBJECTIVE:To mainly review the research progress of the material types, preparation methods, physicochemical characteristics, in vitro release kinetics, and bioavailability of polymeric materials adopted as oral insulin carriers. METHODS:The first author searched PubMed, Elsevier and CNKI databases for articles (2002-01/2013-02) concerning the polymeric materials and oral insulin carriers with the key words of“polymeric biomaterials, oral insulin, carrier”in English and in Chinese. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Currently, there are mainly two kinds of polymeric biomaterials used for oral insulin delivery systems, that is, natural polymeric biomaterials (such as chitosan and alginates) and synthetic polymeric biomaterials. The most commonly used synthetic polymeric materials for the preparation of these vehicles are polyesters, polyacrylates and their copolymers, which are wel known for their good biodegradability, biocompatibility, and physiological properties. Although researchers have tried to develop promptly oral insulin formulation using various technologies, the reports about clinical application or commercial success have not been seen because of several questions such as polymer material as a carrier, the lower bioavailability of insulin, the quality standards and stability of the formulation. Hence, future studies wil focus on the development of a new type of polymer-based material as carriers by choosing the new materials or modifying physical and chemical characteristics of existing polymers, to avoid gastrointestinal destruction of the insulin and increase bioavailability of insulin in the body, so as to obtain the good control ed release rate and effect.