A smart nanocomposite system for controlled insulin release and glucose sensing in diabetes management

Abstract

Diabetes is a global health challenge, driving the need for novel solutions in glucose monitoring and insulin delivery. Here, we present a next-generation glucose-responsive nanocomposite, ZIF-8@Ins-GOx/AuNCs, designed for simultaneous controlled insulin release and real-time glucose sensing. This dual-functional system synergistically integrates zeolite imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), glucose oxidase (GOx), and gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), creating a highly efficient platform for personalized diabetes management. The nanocomposite exhibits an impressive glucose detection range (2.50–200 mM) with high sensitivity (LOD = 0.80 mM), offering unprecedented accuracy for early diagnosis and monitoring. In addition, it demonstrates a glucose-triggered insulin release profile with exceptional encapsulation efficiency (90%) and sustained release under hyperglycemic conditions. Comprehensive in vitro studies reveal excellent biocompatibility, with cell viability greater than 80% at concentrations up to 22.2 mM, highlighting the safety for potential clinical use. This work represents a significant leap forward in the development of adaptive drug delivery systems, offering a versatile, scalable platform with the potential to revolutionize not only diabetes treatment but also broader biomedical applications demanding precise, self-regulated therapeutic interventions.