In vitro Evaluation of Arabinoxylan Gels as an Oral Delivery System for Insulin

Abstract

ABSTRACTArabinoxylan gels are receiving increasing attention as oral delivery systems of biomolecules for therapeutic purposes. The aim of this research was to evaluate arabinoxylan gels as an oral delivery system for insulin, representing a painless therapy for diabetics. Gels at two concentrations of arabinoxylan were prepared (2.5 and 3.5 % w/v). One concentration of insulin (0.05 % w/v) entrapped in the arabinoxylan gels was investigated. At the end of gelation elasticity (G’) values were 11 and 20 for gels at 2.5 and 3.5% (w/v) in arabinoxylan, respectively. The presence of insulin in the gels did not affect the values of G’. The apparent diffusion coefficient for insulin decreased from 1.30 x 10-7 to 1.09 x 10-7 cm2/s when the concentration of arabinoxylan in the gel increased from 2.5 to 3.5% (w/v). The percentage of proteolysis for insulin entrapped in the gels at 2.5 and 3.5% in arabinoxylan (w/v) were 35 and 17%, respectively, in relation to 100% hydrolysis of insulin in solution. Results indicate that arabinoxylan gels could be potential candidates as oral delivery systems for insulin.