Oral administration of insulin has been a longstanding goal in the field of diabetes management. Currently, insulin is primarily delivered through subcutaneous injections, which is inconvenient and uncomfortable for patients. The development of an effective oral insulin delivery system could greatly improve patients’ compliance and quality of life.
However, there are several challenges associated with oral administration of insulin that need to be addressed. One major challenge is the enzymatic degradation of insulin in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The proteolytic enzymes in the stomach and small intestine can break down insulin before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to poor bioavailability.
The intestinal mucus also presents a significant challenge in the oral administration of insulin. Researchers are exploring innovative strategies to address this issue, including the use of permeation enhancers, mucoadhesive formulations, and targeted drug delivery techniques. Developing formulations that can bypass or disrupt the mucus layer while ensuring insulin stability and bioavailability remains a key challenge.
Another challenge is the permeability of insulin across the GI epithelium. Insulin is a large molecule that cannot easily pass through the intestinal barrier. Enhancing the absorption and transport of insulin across the gut lining is crucial for its effective oral delivery.
In conclusion, oral administration of insulin remains a complex and evolving field. Overcoming the challenges associated with enzymatic degradation, permeability, and variability in absorption is essential for the successful development of an effective and reliable oral insulin delivery system. Continued research and innovation in this area hold the potential to revolutionize diabetes management and improve the lives of millions of individuals worldwide.
The aim of this Research Topic is to highlight recent advancements and collect new insights for constructing multifunctional drug delivery systems, achieving effective crossing of multiple gastrointestinal barriers and completing the oral delivery of insulin. We encourage submissions (original research, reviews, mini-reviews) of the following, but not limited to, topics:
1) Fabrication of smart drug delivery systems: the fabrication of nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, and nanogels with active targeting moieties or external stimuli which can enhance the efficient and stable loading of insulin.
2) Fostering a combination of strategies to realize effective crossing of multiple gastrointestinal barriers: protecting insulin from degradation by enzymes, traversing the mucus layer, and crossing the epithelial cell layer of the gastrointestinal tract.
3) Controlled release of drugs: the use of stimuli-responsive materials for the fabrication of drug delivery systems that can respond to a reasonable dose of external or intracellular inducements such as hyperglycemia, enzymes, light, pH, etc.
Keywords:
oral administration, insulin, mucus, bioavailability, oral delivery system
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Oral administration of insulin has been a longstanding goal in the field of diabetes management. Currently, insulin is primarily delivered through subcutaneous injections, which is inconvenient and uncomfortable for patients. The development of an effective oral insulin delivery system could greatly improve patients’ compliance and quality of life.
However, there are several challenges associated with oral administration of insulin that need to be addressed. One major challenge is the enzymatic degradation of insulin in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The proteolytic enzymes in the stomach and small intestine can break down insulin before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to poor bioavailability.
The intestinal mucus also presents a significant challenge in the oral administration of insulin. Researchers are exploring innovative strategies to address this issue, including the use of permeation enhancers, mucoadhesive formulations, and targeted drug delivery techniques. Developing formulations that can bypass or disrupt the mucus layer while ensuring insulin stability and bioavailability remains a key challenge.
Another challenge is the permeability of insulin across the GI epithelium. Insulin is a large molecule that cannot easily pass through the intestinal barrier. Enhancing the absorption and transport of insulin across the gut lining is crucial for its effective oral delivery.
In conclusion, oral administration of insulin remains a complex and evolving field. Overcoming the challenges associated with enzymatic degradation, permeability, and variability in absorption is essential for the successful development of an effective and reliable oral insulin delivery system. Continued research and innovation in this area hold the potential to revolutionize diabetes management and improve the lives of millions of individuals worldwide.
The aim of this Research Topic is to highlight recent advancements and collect new insights for constructing multifunctional drug delivery systems, achieving effective crossing of multiple gastrointestinal barriers and completing the oral delivery of insulin. We encourage submissions (original research, reviews, mini-reviews) of the following, but not limited to, topics:
1) Fabrication of smart drug delivery systems: the fabrication of nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, and nanogels with active targeting moieties or external stimuli which can enhance the efficient and stable loading of insulin.
2) Fostering a combination of strategies to realize effective crossing of multiple gastrointestinal barriers: protecting insulin from degradation by enzymes, traversing the mucus layer, and crossing the epithelial cell layer of the gastrointestinal tract.
3) Controlled release of drugs: the use of stimuli-responsive materials for the fabrication of drug delivery systems that can respond to a reasonable dose of external or intracellular inducements such as hyperglycemia, enzymes, light, pH, etc.
Keywords:
oral administration, insulin, mucus, bioavailability, oral delivery system
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.