Researchers Develop Peptide-Based Oral Insulin Delivery System
For over a century, scientists have attempted to develop insulin pills to replace daily injections for diabetes management, but the digestive system has historically destroyed the insulin before it could be absorbed. Researchers at Kumamoto University, led by Associate Professor Shingo Ito, have developed a new method using a small cyclic peptide called DNP that allows insulin to pass through the small intestine. They tested two approaches: one where insulin is mixed with a modified peptide and stabilized with zinc, and another where the peptide is covalently attached to insulin using click chemistry. Both methods successfully lowered blood sugar levels in diabetic mouse models and maintained stable glucose control with daily dosing. Importantly, this approach significantly reduces the amount of insulin needed for oral delivery, achieving 33-41% bioavailability compared to injections. The team believes this technology could eventually enable oral insulin for human patients and may also be applicable to other injectable biologics. Further studies, including larger animal models and systems simulating the human intestine, are planned to move toward clinical application.
