Nanostructured polymer-based cochleates for effective transportation of insulin

Cochleate is a cigar-liked structure in which the lipid bilayer is coiled in such a way that it forms a spiral shape and releases the drug in a controlled manner in the blood circulation. Cochleates release the drug into the membrane by acting on membrane proteins, phospholipids and receptors. The main objective of this research was to prepare insulin-loaded cochleates for controlled release of insulin, long-term stability and anti-diabetic action on rats. The insulin-loaded cochleates were prepared using binary aqueous-aqueous emulsion method using dextran and polyethylene glycol. The particle size and % entrapment efficiency were found to be 846 ± 5.41 nm and 84.78 ± 1.45%, respectively. In-vitro study showed that insulin-loaded cochleates showed the prolonged release of insulin than cochleates prepared by the direct method. In-vivo studies showed that insulin-loaded cochleates demonstrated the better-controlled release of insulin than marketed formulations (Humulin and Lantus). The insulin-loaded cochleates showed the promising potential for the delivery of insulin in the treatment of type I diabetes for a longer duration. [Display omitted] •Lipoidic nature of cochleates helps to penetrate the cell and encapsulate hydrophobic or hydrophilic drugs•Insulin-loaded cochleates exhibited higher drug loading, sustained release and improved in vivo anti-diabetic activity of INS•Cochleates act as a promising delivery system for oral, transdermal, nasal and vaginal routes