Optimized buccoadhesive repaglinide-loaded cubogel: In-vitro characterization and in-vivo hypoglycemic activity in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model

The limited bioavailability of orally administered repaglinide presents a significant challenge in diabetes management, which can be addressed by developing a buccoadhesive drug delivery system. In this study, repaglinide-loaded cubosomes were prepared using a top-down approach and optimized via a 3...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nihal Farid Younes, Randa Latif, Alia Badawi, Khaled Hegazy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:International Journal of Pharmaceutics: X
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590156725000428
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Summary:The limited bioavailability of orally administered repaglinide presents a significant challenge in diabetes management, which can be addressed by developing a buccoadhesive drug delivery system. In this study, repaglinide-loaded cubosomes were prepared using a top-down approach and optimized via a 33 Box-Behnken design. The optimized formulation (Opt-RPG-CUB) was characterized for solubilization efficiency (SE%), particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), drug release kinetics, and morphology. To further enhance drug delivery, a 22 factorial design was utilized to incorporate varying concentrations of the gelling agents hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or carboxymethyl cellulose into Opt-RPG-CUB, forming repaglinide-loaded cubogels. Upon optimization, the cubogel with the highest desirability function, designated as Opt-RPG-Cubogel, was further evaluated for mucoadhesion, drug release kinetics, rheological properties, ex-vivo buccal permeation, and in-vivo drug permeation by confocal laser scanning microscopy and pharmacodynamic assessment in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Results showed that Opt-RPG-CUB exhibited a SE% of 88.01 ± 3.92 %, PS of 252.55 ± 17.18 nm, and ZP of −31.13 ± 1.42 mV, with an extended drug release over 24 h and a cubic nanostructure. Opt-RPG-Cubogel exhibited strong mucoadhesion (>9 h), an extended drug release over 24 h, enhanced mucosal permeation, and improved tissue deposition. Confocal microscopy further confirmed deep mucosal penetration, while in-vivo studies demonstrated a significant reduction in blood glucose levels compared to the control. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of Opt-RPG-Cubogel as a promising buccoadhesive drug delivery system for efficient type II diabetes management.
ISSN:2590-1567