Glucose-responsive insulin microneedle patch based on phenylboronic acid for 1 diabetes treatment

• A new glucose responsive insulin release principle in the field of microneedles. • The preparation process of microneedles is simple. • Controlled drug release is fast, lasting and safe. For diabetes patients, insulin delivery system with rapid response and controlled drug release is very necessary as a treatment platform. However, the drug delivery systems to achieve this goal often need to be manufactured by very complicated ways. In this study, we greatly simplified the preparation of this insulin delivery system. Microneedles (MNs) were prepared with phenylboronic acid modified methacrylate hyaluronic acid (MA-HA-PBA) as the drug delivery carrier, the dynamic bond between phenylboronic acid and gluconic acid modified insulin (Gins) was used as the controlled-release element. Insulin microneedle patch with simple preparation method, rapid response, controlled release, high drug load and low residue was prepared. We validated this concept by using streptozotocin (STZ) method in type 1 diabetic rats. It provides a direction for simplifying the concept of controlled-release insulin microneedle patch and facilitating production.