Description

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Context

A revolutionary development in drug delivery is underway as scientists have designed ingestible capsules capable of delivering drugs like insulin directly into the stomach or gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Details

Inspired by the jet propulsion mechanism of cephalopods such as squids and cuttlefish these capsules aim to replace injections offering a less invasive and more patient-friendly alternative for administering complex biological drugs.

Jet Propulsion Mechanism

Aspect	Details
Definition	A mechanism by which an organism or object moves by expelling a fluid (water or gas) forcefully in the opposite direction.
Biological Example	Cephalopods (squid, octopus, cuttlefish) use jet propulsion for movement in aquatic environments.
Physical Principle	Based on Newton's Third Law: "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."
Process in Cephalopods	1Water is drawn into the mantle cavity. Muscles contract to expel water forcefully through a funnel or siphon.
Applications	Biological: Locomotion in cephalopods. Technological: Jet engines, rockets, water jets in boats.
Advantages	Rapid movement, allowing quick escape from predators. High maneuverability.
Limitations	Energy-intensive. Primarily suited for short bursts of speed rather than sustained motion.

Cephalopods

Category	Details
Classification	Belong to Class Cephalopoda, Phylum Mollusca.
Key Species	Squids, octopuses, cuttlefish and nautiluses.
Habitat	Marine environments, ranging from shallow waters to deep oceans.
Defining Features	Soft-bodied. Tentacles with suction cups. Advanced nervous systems.
Locomotion	Primary: Jet propulsion using mantle cavity. Secondary: Crawling using tentacles (e.g., octopus).
Adaptations	Camouflage using chromatophores. Ink secretion for defense.
Intelligence	High cognitive abilities, problem-solving and tool use particularly in octopuses.
Importance in Ecosystems	Predators of smaller marine animals. Prey for larger marine predators, maintaining ecological balance.
Human Interest	Studied for biomimicry (e.g., jet propulsion), robotics and cognitive research.

Significance of the Capsules

Aspect	Details
Why Injections Are Common	Used for delivering hormones, vaccines, antibodies and other biologics that are destroyed by digestion.
Challenges of Injections	Risk of infections and skin irritation. Patient discomfort and compliance issues.
Advantages of Capsules	Easier to administer. Avoids risks associated with injections. Improves patient compliance.

How the Capsules Work

Mechanism	Description
Design	Capsules mimic cephalopod jetting by using compressed gas or coiled springs.
Drug Delivery Process	Capsule enters the stomach or GI tract. A carbohydrate trigger dissolves in response to humidity or acid. Trigger activates compressed gas or spring, propelling drugs into GI tissue.
Advantages	Direct drug delivery ensures higher bioavailability. Drugs are absorbed before degradation by enzymes or liver.

Applications

Application	Details
Diabetes Management	Pills can replace insulin injections.
Cancer Treatments	Enables oral administration of antibodies or chemotherapeutics previously reliant on injections.
Hormone Therapy	Offers a non-invasive option for delivering hormonal drugs.

Sources:

INDIANEXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q:“Innovation inspired by nature has the potential to transform human healthcare systems.” Discuss this statement in the context of cephalopod-inspired drug delivery capsules. (250 Words)