Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Papers in Scientific Journals

Insulin-Loaded Silk Fibroin Microneedles as Sustained Release System.

Abstract

 

Silk fibroin has widely been used in biomedical applications for its excellent biocompatibility, degradability, and mechanical properties. Microneedles are a suitable method for transdermal drug delivery. In this work, we have prepared microneedles using silk fibroin as the main material and have added proline to change its crystal structure. The fabricated microneedles are nontoxic and degradable and show relatively slow drug release. Our results indicate that the fibroin/proline microneedles can act as carriers of insulin. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) observations show that the structure of proline-treated fibroin is transformed from random coils to β-sheets. A more regular arrangement is formed between the molecular segments. X-ray diffraction patterns show that proline has good compatibility with fibroin and induces the secondary conformation of the microneedles to a Silk I type structure. The needles have enough strength to pierce the stratum corneum of the skin. In vitro release experiments with insulin indicate that the release time from the microneedles is maintained up to 60 h. This system of delivery may provide a painless and effective route of insulin intake for the treatment of diabetic patients.

 

Journal
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
Volume
5
Issue
4
Pagination
1887-1894
Publisher
American Chemical Society
ISSN
23739878
URL
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b00229
Keywords
Controlled release., Insulin, Microneedles, Silk Fibroin
Rights
Restricted Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
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