Oral insulin drops may offer relief for diabetes patients
Key Takeaways
- Scientists have developed oral insulin drops that were easily and efficiently absorbed by the body in mice.
- The drops could potentially replace the need for insulin injections.
Scientists at the University of British Columbia have created a pain-free drug delivery method to help people with diabetes manage the disease and maintain their health more easily. They have developed oral insulin drops that when placed under the tongue are quickly and efficiently absorbed by the body, potentially replacing the need for insulin injections.
The drops contain a mixture of insulin and a unique cell-penetrating peptide (CPP). The peptide, sourced from fish byproducts, opens a pathway for insulin to cross into cells, something that would not happen easily with insulin alone due to the large size of the insulin molecule. Pre-clinical tests in mice show that insulin with the peptide effectively reaches the bloodstream whereas without the peptide, insulin remains stuck in the inside lining of the mouth. “Think of it as a guide that helps insulin navigate through a maze to reach the bloodstream quickly. This guide finds the best routes, making it easier for insulin to get where it needs to go,” said Dr. Jiamin Wu, an author of the study. Two versions of the peptide are described in recent articles in the Journal of Controlled Release (article 1, article 2).
The UBC team is working to license the technology to a commercial partner. “Hopefully, the oral drops open up a new possibility for diabetes patients — making it easier to take their medications and regulate their blood glucose to maintain their health in the long run,” said Dr. Shyh-Dar Li, who led the research. The new needle-free technology is expected to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, needle pricks, accidental infections and unsafe disposal of contaminated needles.
Edited by Miriam Kaplan, PhD
Source: University of British Columbia, ScienceDaily, June 5, 2024; see source article