Insulin vaginal delivery

Different drug delivery systems have been proposed for vaginal delivery of peptides and proteins. The first one was a mucoadhesive gel based on polyacrylic acid intended for vaginal administration of insulin [96]. More recently, microparticulate systems such as starch and hyaluronan ester (HYAFF) microspheres have been proposed for vaginal delivery of insulin... 

No matter what degree of optimization can actually be achieved via this route, it must be remembered that vaginal delivery is only applicable to approximately 50% of the population. Thus it may be that the true potential of this route lies in the treatment of female-specific conditions, such as in the treatment of climacteric symptoms of the menopause etc., rather than more general applications such as insulin/peptide delivery. 

A review of vaginal bioadhesive formulations indicates that bioadhesive tablets have been used for localized treatment of diseases in the vaginal tissue.F ° l For example. Bleomycin, an antitumor agent, was incorporated into a flat-faced disk fabricated from a combination of hydroxypropyl cellulose and poly-(acrylic acid) (Carbopol 934). ° The tablet was designed to release Bleomycin at a slow rate to minimize irritation to healthy mucosa. Another vaginal tablet is formulated from the combination of poly(acrylic acid) with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and ethylcellu-lose. Other polymer combinations evaluated for potential bioadhesive vaginal delivery include poly(acrylic acid) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose with Avicel PH102 (methylcellulose) as the diluent. Insulin has been formulated in a cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) gel... 

Introduction Oral Delivery of Proteins and Peptides Buccal Delivery Vaginal Delivery of Insulin Transdermal Delivery Rectal Delivery of Protein Drugs... 

Combinations of penetration enhancers have given limited success in the delivery of insulin through the vagina. However, the subject of insulin delivery across the vaginal membrane is still a challenge for future researchers and scientists in the field of vaginal delivery. 

Richardson, J. L., Farraj, N. F., and Ilium, L. (1992), Enhanced vaginal absorption of insulin in sheep using lysophosphatidylcholine and a bioadhesive microsphere delivery system, Int. J. Pharm., 88, 319-325. 

Microspheres prepared from hyaluronan esters have been evaluated for the vaginal administration of calcitonin in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Microspheres prepared from hyaluronan esters have also been used experimentally as delivery devices for nerve growth factors, and as a nasal delivery system for insulin. ... 

The ocular, buccal, rectal, and vaginal routes of administration all have inherent limitations and serious drawbacks for delivery of insulin and therefore are highly unlikely to be of any use for chronic insulin therapy. 

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