Cassandra Kirby-Smith

Ms. Cassandra Kirby-Smith

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 April 2023 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Cassandra Kirby-SmithCassandra Kirby-Smith
Cassandra Kirby-Smith
JSJan Steenekamp
Jan Steenekamp
Dewald SteynDewald Steyn
Dewald Steyn
AHAnja Haasbroek-Pheiffer
Anja Haasbroek-Pheiffer
Hannlie HammanHannlie Hamman
Hannlie Hamman
Josias HammanJosias Hamman
Josias Hamman
Aloe vera gel and whole leaf materials, as well as polysaccharides, precipitated from the gel, have previously been shown to enhance macromolecular drug delivery across epithelial tissues. This study investigated the effectiveness of microparticle formulations prepared from A. vera polysaccharides for nasal delivery of insulin across excised sheep olfactory and respiratory nasal epithelial tissues. An emulsion-solvent evaporation technique was used to prepare two insulin microparticle formulations, namely one containing Eudragit® L100 and A. vera polysaccharides and one containing A. vera polysaccharides only. In addition, an ionic gelation technique was used to prepare an insulin microparticle formulation with A. vera polysaccharides, where calcium chloride was used as a cross-linker. The microparticle formulations were evaluated in terms of drug content (assay), particle size, drug release (dissolution), ex vivo drug permeation, and histology. The microparticle formulations exhibited statistically significantly higher insulin delivery across excised sheep olfactory and respiratory nasal epithelial tissues compared to that of the control group (insulin alone). In conclusion, the use of A. vera polysaccharides in microparticle formulations significantly improved nasal insulin delivery. Therefore, A. vera polysaccharide containing microparticles showed high potential to enhance systemic bioavailability and delivery into the brain of macromolecular drugs such as insulin after intranasal administration.