Abstract

Evaluation Of The Stability And Rectal Absorption Of Insulin-Mucin Complex

Author(s): M.U.Adikwu, S.O.Eraga

Since the discovery of insulin, many attempts have been made to design a system that allows its administration by a nonparenteral route. Insulin stability represents one of the main problems related to the development of new delivery systems containing this hormone. This work explores the stability of insulin in mucin and the possibility of delivering insulin rectally using snail mucin as the delivery agent. The stability of insulin adsorbed on mucin powder at different temperatures was evaluated. The mucin powder was extracted from the giant African snail Archachatina maginata by differential precipitation with acetone. The study of the extent of adsorption shows an increasing amount of insulin adsorbed in the following order: 1.68%, 2.24%, 2.80%, 5.04% and 10.08% in the corresponding mucin-insulin ratio of 150:1, 300:1, 450:1, 600:1 and 750:1. Also, the study shows that with increasing temperature, there is a corresponding decrease in the amount of insulin adsorbed on the mucin powder. The effect of the insulin stabilized in mucin of varying proportions subjected to different temperature conditions on the percentage basal blood glucose level of the experimental animals revealed decreased stability of the insulin with increased temperature as shown by the decreased effect on the plasma glucose level on the experimental animals. The insulin stabilized in mucin showed an enhanced lowering of the plasma glucose level to 49% when compared to the non-significant blood glucose lowering effect of non-stabilized insulin administered to the control group of rats. Consequently, mucin incorporated with insulin can be developed as a safe method for the rectal delivery of insulin.