Formulation and evaluation nasal insulin gel

The objective of the present study was to formulate insulin gel for intranasal administration and to evaluate it with respect to its invitro release studies and hypoglycemic activity in rabbits. The insulin gel was formulated using chitosan as gelling agent. The invivo efficacy of insulin gel administered intranasally was assessed by measuring the blood glucose levels at specified time intervals. The use of bioadhesive nasal gel containing insulin not only promoted the prolonged contact between the drug and the absorptive sites in the nasal cavity but also facilitated direct absorption of medicament through the nasal mucosa. Absorption of the drug through the nasal mucosa was high in the first 0.5 to 1.5 hours of the study with a sharp decline in blood glucose and the relative bioavailability of nasal insulin gel was found to be 19.48% of a marketed subcutaneous solution of insulin. This study further demonstrates that administration of insulin intranasally in gel form is a pleasant and painless alternative to injectable insulin.