HIGH ABSORBENCY AND SUBCHRONIC MORPHOLOGIC EFFECTS ON THE NASAL EPITHELIUM OF A NASAL INSULIN POWDER DOSAGE FORM WITH A SOYBEAN-DERIVED STERYLGLUCOSIDE MIXTURE IN RABBITS

A soybean-derived sterylglucoside mixture (SG) is a potential enhancer of the nasal absorption of insulin. The aim of the study was to exami ne the absorption of insulin given as the powder dosage form with sc a nd excipient and to determine the subchronic effects of SG on the morp hology of rabbit nasal epithelium. The insulin powder dosage form with SG was administered to the rabbit nasal cavity for five successive da ys, The average bioavailability and the average pharmacological bioava ilability of insulin were about 25.0 and 61.6%, respectively. The nasa l mucosa was taken from the nasal cavity and side-effects were investi gated using an optiphoto light microscope. The insulin powder dosage f orm with SG produced no signs of inflammation, erosion or squamous met aplasia. These findings indicate that SG can be considered as a safe a nd effective enhancer and excipient in the nasal insulin powder dosage form.