Systematic Development and Characterization of Enzyme-Free, Borax-Crosslinked Microneedles for Glucose-Responsive Insulin Delivery and In Vivo Glycemic Mitigation.

ABSTRACT: Background: Conventional insulin injections cannot mimic physiological pancreatic function and often lead to dangerous hypoglycemic events that glucose-responsive systems aim to prevent. Glucose-responsive microneedles (MNs) offer a promising closed-loop alternative. We developed an enzyme-free, glucose-responsive MN patch composed of a PVA/Dextran hydrogel dynamically crosslinked with borax, and evaluated its performance, biosafety, and in vivo efficacy. Methods: MNs were fabricated from PVA/Dextran via micromolding and crosslinked with borax. The formulation was systematically optimized based on mechanical properties and glucose-responsive release kinetics. Physicochemical properties, biosafety (cytotoxicity, skin barrier recovery, boron leaching), and in vivo efficacy in a

SUBMITTER: Dinh CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12737151 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature