OBJECTIVE: To investigate the drug release properties of chitosan and other biological materials as a carrier of the insulin.
METHODS: A total of 19 articles published between 1999 and 2008, are Chinese experimental study focusing on the release and hypoglycemic effect of chitosan and other biological materials as a carrier of insulin. The literatures were analyzed according to the chitosan insulin carrier materials, experimental methods, experimental results, experimental conclusions, to evaluate the release and the hypoglycemic effect. Meanwhile, other biological materials as the carrier of insulin were comprehensively analyzed by carrier type, preparation principle, in vitro drug release, and hypoglycemic effect.
RESULTS: Thirteen literatures were selected from fifteen experimental studies addressing chitosan insulin carriers. Analysis showed that some chitosan, as a carrier, are present with pH-responsive drug release, which can be modulated by pH value at different parts of gastrointestinal tract, thus reducing damage of oral insulin in the gastrointestinal tract; by improving the preparation process, such as raw materials, reaction time and application of additives can further improve drug release, enhance insulin release in specific parts, and enduce new functions such as slow release and promotion of drugs penetration and absorption. Six literatures were selected from 10 experimental studies addressing other biological materials, for example liposomes, nanoparticles, hydrogels, microspheres, microcapsules as insulin carriers. Analysis indicated that these biological materials are non-toxic, non-immunogenic, biodegradable, biocompatible, have good in vitro release and hypoglycemic effects.
CONCLUSION: Chitosan and other biological materials such as liposomes, nanoparticles, hydrogels, microspheres, microcapsules, as a carrier of insulin, are present with good drug release properties, which are feasible in clinical application.