How scientists developed pills that can replace injections

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

A team of researchers has developed ingestible capsules that release a burst of drugs directly inside the stomach or digestive system. These capsules offer an alternative method of drug delivery, potentially replacing injections for medications such as insulin.

Importance of the new drug delivery system:

Alternative to injections: Injections are commonly used to administer drugs like hormones, vaccines, antibodies, or cancer treatments. However, injections can cause discomfort, skin irritation, infection risks, and other side effects. Furthermore, they are often more challenging for patients compared to oral pills.
Limitation of pills: Pills can sometimes be ineffective for larger biological molecules as they are broken down by digestive enzymes or the liver before they can be absorbed. This reduces the drug’s efficacy and may increase side effects.
Significance of the capsules: The newly developed capsules offer a more efficient method for delivering macromolecule drugs orally as it gives high bioavailability (the degree to which a drug is absorbed and utilized by the body).

Inspiration from Cephalopods:

The researchers took inspiration from cephalopods like squids and cuttlefish. These animals use jet propulsion to move and shoot ink, adjusting pressure and direction for effective movement. The same mechanism was applied to the capsules, allowing the drug to be jetted into the gastrointestinal tract.
By jetting the medication directly into tissues, the system ensures that more of the drug is absorbed before the body has the chance to break it down, improving the drug’s effectiveness and reducing waste.

Mechanism of Action:

The researchers used two methods to generate the necessary force to propel the drugs.
One method involves compressing carbon dioxide within the capsule to propel the drug. The other method uses tightly coiled springs to generate force.
When the capsule is exposed to the acidic environment of the stomach or the humidity within the gastrointestinal tract, the carbohydrate trigger dissolves, allowing the gas or spring to expand and propel the drug out of the capsule.