To evaluate the effect of proteolytic enzymes on the absorption of insulin in the buccal mucosa, the trichloroacetic acid (TCA) method was used to estimate the degradation of insulin under different conditions in the buccal mucosal homogenates. In vivo experiments estimating the enhancement of hypoglycaemic effect by enzyme inhibitors were also conducted. The results showed that proteolytic enzymes in the buccal mucosa were less active than in the intestine. Bacitracin, aprotinin and sodium deoxycholate could inhibit the degradation of insulin in the buccal mucosal homogenates. The degradation of insulin in buccal mucosal homogenates of normal hamsters was smaller than that of diabetic hamsters. In vivo experiments of hypoglycaemia supported the in vitro results. When given buccally, bacitracin, aprotinin and sodium deoxycholate could increase the relative pharmacological bioavailability of insulin. When co-administered with aprotinin(0.1%), bacitracin(0.5%) and sodium deoxycholate(5%), the relative pharmacological bioavailabilities of insulin were 4.84%, 6.60% and 14.95% respectively. The in vitro and in vivo results suggest that proteolytic enzymes are present in the buccal mucosa, which limit absorption of insulin. Co-administration with some enzyme inhibitors can improve the bioavailability of insulin via buccal delivery and sodium deoxycholte is more efficient than some enzyme inhibitors used for improving buccal absorption.
