Electrical signals regulate the release of insulin from electrodeposited chitosan composite hydrogel: An in vitro and in vivo study

Abstract Electrical signal controlled drug release from polymeric drug delivery system provides an efficient way for accurate and demandable drug release. In this work, insulin was loaded on inorganic nanoplates (layered double hydroxides, LDHs) and coated on a copper wire by co‐electrodeposition with chitosan. The formed structure in chitosan composite hydrogel entrapped insulin efficiently, which were proved by various techniques. In addition, the drug loaded chitosan composite hydrogel demonstrated good biocompatibility as suggested by cell attachment. In vitro drug release experiment showed fast responsive pulsed release of insulin by biasing electrical signals. The in vivo experiment in diabetic rats revealed controllable insulin release in plasma and stable decrease of blood glucose can be achieved by using appropriate electrical signal. In addition, HE staining suggested negligible effect to the tissue by electrical signals. This work suggests that the electrical signal controlled insulin release from chitosan composited hydrogel may be a promising administration route for insulin.