Biomedical Applications of polymeric micelles in the treatment of diabetes mellitus: Current success and future approaches

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common metabolic disease and multifactorial, harming patients worldwide. Extensive research has been carried out in the search for novel drug delivery systems offering reliable control of glucose levels for diabetics, aiming at efficient management of DM.

Areas covered

Polymeric micelles (PMs) as smart drug delivery nanocarriers are discussed, focusing on oral drug delivery applications for the management of hyperglycemia. The most recent approaches used for the preparation of smart PMs employ molecular features of amphiphilic block copolymers (ABCs), such as stimulus sensitivity, ligand conjugation, and as a more specific example the ability to inhibit islet amyloidosis.

Expert opinion

PMs provide a unique platform for self-regulated or spatiotemporal drug delivery, mimicking the working mode of pancreatic islets to maintain glucose homeostasis for prolonged periods. This unique characteristic is achieved by tailoring the functional chemistry of ABCs considering the physicochemical traits of PMs, including sensing capabilities, hydrophobicity, etc. In addition, the application of ABCs for the inhibition of conformational changes in islet amyloid polypeptide garnered attention as one of the root causes of DM. However, research in this field is limited and further studies at the clinical level are required.

KEYWORDS:

• Amphiphilic block copolymers
• micelles
• diabetes mellitus
• drug delivery
• insulin

Article highlights

• Poor oral bioavailability and frequent dosing of drugs in diabetes fail to maintain glucose homeostasis

• The tailor-made chemistry of copolymers in designing polymeric micelles has the potential for spatiotemporal drug delivery

• Polymeric micelles have the potential to target pancreatic islet amyloidosis owing to the hydrophobicity of core

• Their ease of functionalization of polymeric micelles offers stimuli-responsive and sensing capabilities that enable their role in biomedical application

• Challenges that hinder their clinical translation are also discussed along with the strategies that are required to overcome such challenges

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.