Taking inspiration from the blue-ringed octopus, which punctures the shell of crustaceans to deliver the paralyzing agent tetrodotoxin to its prey, a group of scientists from various universities in China has developed a microneedle-based patch that adheres to the surface of skin and delivers drugs.

To mimic the mechanism used by the blue-ringed octopus, the team designed a patch featuring hydrogel suction cups and microneedles composed of silk fibroin and F127 hydrogel.

According to the researchers, the microneedles are reportedly heat sensitive, thereby enabling improved control for drug release.

In the lab, the patch was applied to areas within the mouths of animals inflamed with gum ulcers or superficial tumors. The team discovered that the suction cups worked as intended as the teeth on the patch enabled the ideal amount of surface puncture for the delivery of medications. Further, the microneedles also reportedly delivered the medication within two hours of application.

After two days, the patches also delivered the desired amount of medication, while over time, the patch increased the healing speed of the ulcers and prevented tumor growth.

An article detailing the microneedle-based patch, “Blue-ringed octopus-inspired microneedle patch for robust tissue surface adhesion and active injection drug delivery,” appears in the journal Science Advances.

For more information, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of Science X.