Scientists develop first Insulin tablet

New Delhi | Desk: For the millions of diabetes patients worldwide who endure the pain of taking multiple insulin injections every day, a major piece of news offering relief has arrived. Scientists at Kumamoto University in Japan have achieved a significant breakthrough in the development of the world's first 'insulin tablet.'

Until now, formulating insulin in tablet form posed a major challenge because the digestive enzymes and acids in the stomach would destroy the insulin before it could reach the bloodstream.

However, the Japanese researchers have developed a specialized carrier known as the 'DNP peptide' that safely transports the insulin through the digestive system to the intestines, from where it enters the bloodstream without losing its efficacy.

Successful trials conducted on mice demonstrated that a single dose of the tablet kept blood sugar levels under control for the subsequent three days.

Currently, in countries like India, pharmaceutical companies such as Cipla offer 'oral insulin' in the form of inhalers; however, the tablet option is expected to prove to be the most convenient solution for patients.

In India, approximately 100 million people suffer from diabetes; among them, over 900,000 children are affected by Type 1 diabetes and are required to take injections 4 to 5 times a day. Although human trials for the insulin tablet are yet to be conducted, its eventual arrival on the market promises to eliminate the need for repeated needle pricks in the future.