Researchers at Baghiullah University of Medical Sciences in Iran have developed a saliva-based device that can indicate the presence of diabetes. The sensor identifies the condition with an accuracy of about 89 percent, and the findings were reported in Scientific Reports. This breakthrough moves toward a noninvasive approach to diabetes screening, highlighting how saliva chemistry can reflect metabolic changes linked to the disease.
Diabetes is a disorder where the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar is impaired because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone essential for guiding sugar from the bloodstream into cells to fuel daily activities. When glucose remains elevated, it can cause harm to nerves and blood vessels over time, leading to a range of complications and affecting overall health and energy levels.
The new device works by monitoring metabolic shifts in saliva. In creating the sensor, researchers used porphyrazines, compounds commonly used in liquid crystal materials, along with dyes that respond to pH changes and silver nanoparticles. The device is layered, with one layer made from paper, resulting in a compact form factor measuring roughly 1.5 centimeters in length and 1 centimeter in width. This small size is a key advantage for ease of use and potential portability in future clinical settings.
In the study, the sensor was tested with both individuals diagnosed with diabetes and healthy volunteers. A total of ninety participants were involved. Participants were asked to refrain from eating or drinking anything for eight to twelve hours prior to testing to minimize interference from recent intake. Saliva samples were collected, applied to a paper support, and exposed to pH-sensitive dyes. The resulting color changes on the paper substrate served as a readout indicating the presence or absence of diabetes, according to the researchers’ criteria and methods described in the publication by Scientific Reports.
The results showed an 89 percent accuracy rate in identifying diabetes among the tested group. While the device offers promise as a noninvasive alternative to traditional blood tests, the researchers acknowledge that further development is needed to improve robustness, ease of use, and scalability before it could become a routine diagnostic option. The work demonstrates how a simple, compact platform can capture meaningful biochemical signals from saliva, bringing researchers closer to a painless, rapid screening tool for metabolic diseases like diabetes.
This line of inquiry aligns with a broader trend toward noninvasive diagnostics that leverage saliva as a rich source of biological information. In related advances, researchers have explored saliva-based tests for other conditions, underscoring the potential for quick, patient-friendly screening that can be deployed in community clinics or at-home settings under proper supervision and validation. The ongoing effort underscores the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration among chemistry, materials science, and clinical research to translate laboratory insights into practical health solutions.
Earlier efforts in Russia explored a device for early detection of skin cancer, illustrating how compact, noninvasive sensors are becoming a recurring theme in modern medical diagnostics. The current work from Iran contributes to this global movement by expanding the toolbox of saliva-based sensing strategies and offering a concrete demonstration of how such sensors can perform in a real-world participant pool, with clear implications for future preventive care and disease management.