Progress in oral insulin delivery by PLGA nanoparticles for the management of diabetes

Drug Discov Today. 2023 Jan;28(1):103393. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103393. Epub 2022 Oct 5.

Abstract

Currently, the only practical way to treat type 1 and advanced insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1/2DM) is the frequent subcutaneous injection of insulin, which is significantly different physiologically from endogenous insulin secretion from pancreatic islets and can lead to hyperinsulinemia, pain, and infection in patients with poor compliance. Hence, oral insulin delivery has been actively pursued to revolutionize the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes. In this review, we provide an overview of recent progress in developing poly(lactic co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) for oral insulin delivery. Different strategies for insulin-loaded PLGA NPs to achieve normoglycemic effects are discussed. Finally, challenges and future perspectives of PLGA NPs for oral insulin delivery are put forward.

Keywords: Biological barriers; Epithelium; Gastrointestinal tract (GIT); Mucus; Oral insulin; Poly(lactic co-glycolic acid) (PLGA).

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental* / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Drug Carriers
  • Humans
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Lactic Acid
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Polyglycolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Drug Carriers
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Lactic Acid