Transdermal Iontophoresis Insulin in Laboratory Animals: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Insulin therapy is essential for regulating glucose levels in diabetic patients. However, subcutaneous insulin injection, despite being a standard procedure, is invasive and often painful and can lead to complications such as skin damage and infections. These issues often result in poor patient compliance and inadequate glycemic control. Recently, transdermal insulin administration has been explored as an alternative to subcutaneous methods; however, no universally accepted protocol has been developed for its use. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of iontophoresis on transdermal insulin administration in laboratory animals. Using the PICO search strategy and in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, relevant articles published from January 1980 to May 2025 were retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, PEDro, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. The findings from these studies suggest that combining iontophoresis with physical enhancers of skin penetration can effectively regulate blood glucose levels while minimizing the risk of hypoglycemia.