Glucose-Induced Disintegrated Hydrogel for the Glucose-Responsive Delivery of Insulin

Stimulus-sensitive drug delivery materials are of vital significance to modern therapeutic technology. In particular, glucose-responsive hydrogels capable of biomimetic release of hypoglycemic drugs according to glucose concentrations are one of the current research hotspots. In this paper, an injectable, glucose-induced disintegrated natural-polysaccharide-based hydrogel with good self-healing ability and biocompatibility is reported. The glucose-responsiveness of the hydrogel stems from the reversible phenylborate ester bonds. The glucose-triggered disintegration and insulin release are demonstrated in the hydrogel in a physiological environment. The two polymers produced by the disintegration of the hydrogel have good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Therefore, the hydrogel is considered to result in the development of smart insulin delivery systems.