Polymer-lipid hybrid systems used as carriers for insulin delivery

The polymer-lipid systems successfully have been applied for loading and controlled release of insulin. These hybrid systems used the advantages of both components: enhancing of muchoadesivity and lipophilicity, respectively. Even that few polymers, but a large number of lipids were combined by different methods it is still an open field to obtain pharmaceutical formulations suitable for insulin delivery, especially by oral route. Considering that the researchers are continuously interested to find and test new materials for insulin delivery, the lipid systems (liposomes, nanoparticles, microparticles) based on natural (chitosan, lectin, ε-poly-L-lysine) or synthetic (poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(allylamine)) polymers were reviewed in this paper. The polymer-lipid hybrid systems represent the most appropriate approach for insulin loading, useful in case of a less stressfully treatment of diabetics. The biocompatible polymeric component protects against the enzymatic attack and improves the muchoadesivity of pharmaceutical formulations, while lipid component increases the insulin lipophylicity. [Display omitted]