Composition-Engineered Metal-Organic Framework-Based Microneedles for Glucose-Mediated Transdermal Insulin Delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Diabetes treatment requires precise insulin delivery based on blood glucose levels.
• Current methods can be invasive or lack glucose responsiveness.
• Stimuli-responsive systems are crucial for advanced diabetes management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop glucose-responsive microneedles (MNs) for painless, transdermal insulin delivery.
• To create a mimic multi-enzyme metal-organic framework (MOF) system for glucose-mediated insulin release.
• To ensure the safety and efficacy of the developed MOF-based MNs.

Main Methods:

• Engineered glucose oxidase (GOx) and Co²⁺ ions into ZIF-8 MOFs to create Ins/GOx@Co-ZIF-8.
• Incorporated the MOF-based system into microneedles for transdermal administration.
• Utilized gluconic acid production to trigger MOF degradation and insulin release, with Co²⁺ catalyzing H₂O₂ decomposition.

Main Results:

• The developed microneedles demonstrated glucose-dependent insulin release.
• The system effectively catalyzed glucose to gluconic acid, triggering insulin release.
• H₂O₂ and Co²⁺ ions were safely managed within the microneedle structure.
• The microneedles possessed adequate stiffness for skin penetration.

Conclusions:

• Facilely synthesized MOFs integrated with microneedles offer a novel strategy for stimuli-responsive transdermal drug delivery.
• This mimic multi-enzyme MOF-based microneedle system provides a painless and effective approach for glucose-mediated insulin delivery.
• The developed system shows significant potential for improving diabetes treatment and management.