Insulin-loaded poly(acrylic acid)-cysteine nanoparticles: Stability studies towards digestive enzymes of the intestine Insulin-loaded poly(acrylic acid)-cysteine nanoparticles Glen Perera et al.

Abstract

This study evaluated thiolated poly(acrylic acid) nanoparticles as a valuable tool to protect insulin from degradation by serinproteases of the intestine. Nanaoparticles were characterized concerning particle size, zeta potential, and drug load. Furthermore, in vitro release studies were performed. Within in vitro degradation studies with trypsin, α-chymotrypsin, and elastase it could be demonstrated that the obtained nanoparticles are capable of protecting 44.47±0.89% of the initial insulin amount from tryptic degradation, 21.33±5.34% from chymotryptic degradation, and 45.01±1.40% from degradation by elastase compared to insulin solutions. © 2009 Informa UK Ltd.