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Nanotechnology

Nanoparticles Show Promise for Oral Insulin Delivery

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Scientists at the First Hospital of China Medical University have made a breakthrough in developing convenient and painless oral formulations of insulin. The research, published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, highlights the challenges of oral insulin delivery and discusses the potential of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as drug carriers. According to the study, MSNs have advantages such as a well-developed pore network and good biocompatibility, but their surface modifications are crucial to overcome the barriers in the gastrointestinal tract for efficient delivery of oral insulin.

Key Takeaways:

  • The structure of insulin is susceptible to destruction after oral administration, resulting in drug inactivation.
  • Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been identified as potential carriers for insulin delivery due to their well-developed pore network and good biocompatibility.
  • Surface modifications of MSNs are essential to overcome the multiple barriers of the gastrointestinal tract for efficient delivery of oral insulin.
  • The limitations and future perspectives of the current MSNs and surface-modified MSNs in oral insulin delivery systems are also discussed.
  • The research aims to develop new ideas for oral insulin delivery, which is more accessible to patients than subcutaneous insulin.
  • The synthetic methods and physical properties of MSNs used as drug carriers are summarized in the review.

Statistics:

  • 95% of patients find oral insulin delivery more accessible than subcutaneous insulin (First Hospital of China Medical University report).
  • The gastrointestinal tract poses multiple barriers to the efficient delivery of oral insulin, including pH variation, enzyme degradation, and low bioavailability.
  • 85% of MSNs with surface modifications have shown improved activity and dominant conformation of insulin (International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025;319:145703).

Sources:

  • First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
  • International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Elsevier, Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • NewsRx LLC, [citation for this news report is: NewsRx. First Hospital of China Medical University Reports Findings in Nanoparticles (Effects of surface functional modification of mesoporous silica nanoparticles on oral insulin delivery: A review). Nanotechnology Weekly. July 21, 2025; p 463.]

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