Acta Pharm. 67 (2017) 149-168
Original research paper
Biomimetic insulin-imprinted polymer nanoparticles
as a potential oral drug delivery system
PIJUSH KUMAR PAUL, ALONGKOT TREETONG and ROONGNAPA
SUEDEE
1 Molecular Recognition Materials Research Unit, Nanotec-PSU
Center of Excellence on Drug Delivery System, Department of
Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
2 National Nanotechnology Center
(NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand
Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Pathum
Thani 12120, Thailand
Accepted March 2, 2017
Published online April 6,
2017
In this study, we investigate molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs),
which form a three-dimensional image of the region at and around the active
binding sites of pharmaceutically active insulin or are analogous to b cells bound to insulin. This approach was employed to create a
well-defined structure within the nanospace cavities
that make up functional monomers by cross-linking. The
obtained MIPs exhibited a high adsorption capacity for the target insulin,
which showed a significantly higher release of insulin in solution at pH 7.4
than at pH 1.2. In vivo studies on
diabetic Wistar rats showed that the fast onset
within 2 h is similar to
subcutaneous injection with a maximum at 4 h,
giving an engaged function responsible for the duration
of glucose reduction for up to 24 h. These MIPs, prepared
as nanosized material, may open a new horizon for oral insulin delivery.
Keywords: molecularly imprinted polymers, insulin, nanoparticles, islet cells, oral drug delivery