Work

Impact of yeast cell wall incorporation on the mucoadhesion, stability, oral permeability and release profile of alginate/whey protein beads loaded with insulin

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Alginate/Whey protein particles were functionalized with yeast cell wall and were loaded with insulin solution to enhance oral peptide delivery • Yeast cell wall increased viscosity, reducing premature insulin release during the coating process. • Yeast cell wall improved insulin permeability in Caco-2 cells but did not enhance protection against enzymatic degradation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of incorporating yeast cell wall (YCW) into alginate/whey protein (ALG/WP) particles as a strategy to improve oral insulin delivery. Insulin-loaded particles were produced by an extrusion–gelation process with or without YCW, and their physicochemical, mucoadhesive, and permeability properties were assessed in vitro, ex vivo , and in vivo . The inclusion of YCW increased the viscosity of the polymeric solution, resulting in more cohesive particles and a significant reduction in insulin loss during coating. Encapsulation efficiencies ranged from 65 to 99%. However, YCW did not significantly affect particle size or the release mechanism, which remained diffusion-controlled. Although YCW-containing beads exhibited enzyme inhibitory and mucoadhesive properties, insulin protection against enzymatic degradation was similar to that of control beads. YCW moderately enhanced insulin permeability in Caco-2 cell monolayers without cytotoxicity, consistent with a reversible reduction of transepithelial electrical resistance. This effect did not translate into a measurable increase in insulin absorption in ex vivo duodenum or in vivo duodenal administration, indicating that its contribution as an absorption enhancer is limited under physiologically complex conditions.

Source: European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2025.107385

Authors: Emmanuelle Lainé, Valerie Hoffart, Imen Dhifallah, Ghislain Garrait, Eric Beyssac

Institutions: Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Inserm, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, Université Paris Descartes

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

Subfield: Pharmaceutical Science

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,070