Hypoglycemic efficacy of chitosan-coated insulin liposomes after oral administration in mice

AIM: To evaluate the hypoglycemic efficacy of insulin liposomes coated by chitosan with different molecular weights and concentrations after oral administration in mice. METHODS: Insulin-liposomes were prepared by reversed-phase evaporation. Chitosan coating was carried out by incubation of the liposomal suspensions with the chitosan solution. The hypoglycemic efficacies of chitosan-coated insulin liposomes were investigated by monitoring the blood glucose level using the glucose oxidase method after oral administration to healthy mice. RESULTS: In all the insulin liposomes, the insulin liposomes coated by 0.2% chitosan (Mr 1000 kDa) showed a better hypoglycemic efficacy as compared with the other liposomes coated by chitosan. The minimum blood glucose level was 15.1%+/-6.0 % of the initial (n=6). The hypoglycemic efficacy lasted for 4 h after oral administration to mice. CONCLUSION: Chitosan-coated liposomes could reduce tryptic digestion on insulin, and enhance enteral absorption of insulin. The molecular weights and concentrations of chitosan had significant effects on hypoglycemic efficacy of chitosan-coated insulin liposomes after oral administration to healthy mice.