Insulin drug delivery systems: A review

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia, glycosuria, and hyperlipidemia. At present, India is considered as the diabetic capital of the world. There are approximately 3.5 crore diabetics in India, and this figure is expected to increase up to 5.2 crore by 2025. Two major types of diabetes mellitus are IDDM and NIDDM. Insulin is a hormone. And like many hormones, insulin is a protein. Insulin is secreted by groups of cells within the pancreas called islet cells. Discovery of Insulin is appropriately attributed to Banting and Best. It is made up of 51 amino acids having two chains. Chain A have 21 and Chain B have 30 amino acids. The more commonly used types of insulin are Rapid-acting (aspart or Lispro), Short-acting (regular insulin), Long-acting (ultralente insulin), Insulin glargine and insulin detemir. Insulin delivery systems that are currently available for the administration of insulin include syringes, insulin infusion pumps, jet injectors and pens. Insulin syringe is the most commonly used, and the most economical of all the delivery devices. Insulin pump is known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy. A jet injector is a type of medical injecting syringe that uses a high-pressure narrow jet of the injection liquid instead of a hypodermic needle to penetrate the epidermis. Pen is reusable and prefilled device. Many insulin delivery devices are under process. The purpose of this review is to focus more light on the insulin as a prime drug for the treatment of diabetes from historical era to present time.