A Microstirring Oral Pill for Improving the Glucose-Lowering Effect of Metformin

Type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperglycemiadue to persistent insulin resistance, resulting in elevated bloodglucose levels. Metformin is the most prescribed oral drug for loweringhigh blood glucose levels in T2DM patients. However, it is poorlyabsorbed and has low bioavailability. Here, we introduce magnesium-basedmicrostirrers to a metformin-containing pill matrix to enhance theglucose-lowering effect of metformin. The resulting microstirringpill possesses a built-in mixing capability by creating local fluidtransport upon interacting with biological fluid to enable fast pilldisintegration and drug release along with accelerated metformin delivery.In vivo glucose tolerance testing using a murine model demonstratesthat the metformin microstirring pill significantly improves therapeuticefficacy, lowering blood glucose levels after a meal more rapidlycompared to a regular metformin pill without active stirring. As aresult, the microstirrers allow for dose sparing, providing effectivetherapeutic efficacy at a lower drug dosage than passive metforminpills. These encouraging results highlight the versatility of thissimple yet elegant microstirring pill technology, which enhances drugabsorption after gastrointestinal delivery to improve therapeuticefficacy.

Automated summary

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by high blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance, and metformin is the most commonly prescribed oral drug for lowering blood glucose levels in T2DM patients. However, its absorption and bioavailability are poor. This study introduces magnesium-based microstirrers to a metformin-containing pill matrix to enhance the glucose-lowering effect of metformin.