Stability and biological testing of taurine-conjugated bile acid antioxidant microcapsules for diabetes treatment

Aim: Taurine-conjugated bile acids possess positive formulation-stabilization effects, which are desirable in diabetes treatments. The taurine-conjugated bile acid, taurocholic acid (TCA), has shown promising formulation-stabilizing effects on the delivery of the antioxidant drug, probucol (PB), but success is limited due to its poor release profile. This study aimed to design new PB-TCA formulations using new polymers, and examine antioxidant and antidiabetic effects using β-cells for PB with or without TCA. Materials and methods: Different formulations using alginate-insoluble esters of polymethylacrylate polymers encapsulating PB and TCA were developed, microencapsulated and examined for stability and biological activity. Results: TCA addition to new PB matrices improved osmotic and mechanical properties, and this effect was dependent on polymethylacrylate composition and concentration. Conclusion: TCA can optimize the oral delivery of anti-diabetic compounds.