Insulin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (INS-PLGA-NPs) were prepared by a double emulsion method (w/o/w), using ethyl acetate as organic solvent and poloxamer188 as emulsifier. Experimental parameters such as the emulsifier and PLGA concentrations, the pH and concentration of the insulin solution, the solvent evaporation method and PVA in the internal phase were investigated for the encapsulation efficiency. The results indicated that higher emulsifier concentration, relatively less amount of PLGA and lower insulin concentration would increase the entrapment of insulin. Furthermore, pH of insulin solution approaching to pI (5.3), adding some PVA to the internal phase and a shorter evaporation time helped to enhance the incorporation efficiency of insulin. Optimized preparation parameters led to nanoparticles with well-defined characteristics such as an average size around 149.6 nm, a polydispersity lower than 0.1 and high encapsulation efficiency up to 42.8%.
The effects of some commonly used penetration enhancers such as laurocapram (AZ), oleic acid (OA), poloxamer (POL) and propylene glycol (PG) on the in vitro transdermal iontophoretic delivery of insulin through full-thickness mouse skin were investigated. The results showed that AZ had a synergistic effect on iontophoretic ability to enhance skin permeation of insulin, and PG could further increase this effect. 5% AZ / PG increased the iontophoretic steady state flux of insulin by a factor of 2.75 compared to that treated with iontophoresis alone. OA did not further enhance iontophoretic effect to increase skin permeation of insulin. The combination of iontophoresis and some enhancer provided a novel idea and possibility for transdermal delivery of insulin.
