Nose-to-brain delivery of insulin nanoparticles for diabetes management: A review

Abstract

Hyperglycemia and the onset of insulin resistance or deficiency, or both, are the hallmarks of the group of diseases known as diabetes. Ultimately, insulin subcutaneous injection is the most effective treatment for diabetic patients. However, most patients must self-administer insulin at least twice daily for the rest of their lives, as this form of administration is frequently uncomfortable and inconvenient. Infections, insulin precipitation, lipoatrophy, or lipohypertrophy are commonly observed at the injection site. To date, nasal, pulmonary, and oral methods of insulin administration have been explored. Although insulin stimulation is the ideal method for diabetic patients, there are several obstacles to overcome, such as rapid insulin degradation in the stomach and limited oral bioavailability. Various strategies have been approved to improve these parameters, including the use of enzyme inhibitors, mucoadhesive polymeric agents, absorption-enhancing agents, and chemical modifications. Insulin-loaded nanocarriers can bypass numerous physiological limitations. The current review discusses the approach of nanotechnology in nose-to-brain delivery of nanoparticles for diabetes management.