Curved biodegradable microneedles for vascular drug delivery

Curved biodegradable microneedles for application to the outer surface of blood vessels are produced to enhance drug delivery to vascular tissues suffering from hyperplasia or atherosclerosis. Spatially discrete thermal drawing and post-annealing processes are employed to fabricate microneedles on a curved surface. Insertion of microneedles into arteries in vivo and ex vivo is demonstrated, and their mechanical properties and drug-delivery function are studied.     

Microneedles for transdermal drug delivery: a systematic review

Transdermal route has been explored for various agents due to its advantage of bypassing the first pass effect and sustained release of drug. Due to strong barrier properties of the skin, mainly stratum corneum (SC), the delivery of many therapeutic agents across the skin has become challenging. Few drugs with specific physicochemical properties (molecular weight <500?Da, adequate lipophilicity, and low melting point) can be effectively administered via transdermal route. However, delivery of hydrophilic drugs and macromolecular agents including peptides, DNA and small interfering RNA is challenging. Drug penetration through the SC may involve bypass or reversible disruption of SC layer by various means. Recently, the use of micron-scale needles has been proposed in increasing skin permeability and shown to dramatically increase permeation, especially for macromolecules. Microneedles (MNs) can penetrate through the SC layer of the skin into the viable epidermis, avoiding contact with nerve fibers and blood vessels that reside primarily in the dermal layer. This review summarizes the types of MNs and fabrication techniques of different types of MNs. The safety aspects of the materials used for fabrication have been discussed in detail. Biological applications and relevant phase III clinical trials are also highlighted.     

Two-layered dissolving microneedles for percutaneous delivery of sumatriptan in rats

A novel transdermal delivery of sumatriptan (ST) was attempted by application of dissolving microneedle (DM) technology. Dextran DM (d-DM) and hyaluronate DM (h-DM) were prepared by adding ST solution to dextran solution or hyaluronic acid solution. One DM chip, 1.0?×?1.0?cm, contains 100 microneedle arrays in a 10?×?10 matrix. The mean lengths of DMs were 496.6?±?2.9 μm for h-DM and 494.5?±?1.3 μm for d-DM. The diameters of the array basement were 295.9?±?3.9 μm (d-DM) and 291.7?±?3.0 μm (h-DM), where ST contents were 31.6?±?4.5?μg and 24.1?±?0.9?μg. These results suggest that ST was stable in h-DM. Each DM was administered to rat abdominal skin. The maximum plasma ST concentrations, C_max, and the areas under the plasma ST concentration versus time curves (AUC) were 44.6?±?4.9?ng/ml and 24.6?±?3.9?ng · h/ml for h-DM and 38.4?±?2.7?ng/ml and 14.1?±?1.5?ng · h/ml for d-DM. The bioavailabilities of ST from DMs were calculated as 100.7?±?18.8% for h-DM and 93.6?±?10.2% for d-DM. Good dose dependency was observed on C_max and AUC. The stability study of ST in DM was performed for 3 months under four different conditions, ?80, 4, 23, and 50°C. At the end of incubation period, they were, respectively, 100.0?±?0.3%, 97.8?±?0.2%, 98.8?±?0.2%, and 100.7?±?0.1%. These suggest the usefulness of DM as a noninvaisive transdermal delivery system of ST to migraine therapy.     

A simple method of microneedle array fabrication for transdermal drug delivery

Abstract

The outermost layer of skin, stratum corneum, being lipophilic limits the passive transport of hydrophilic and large molecular weight drugs. Microfabrication technology has been adapted to fabricate micron scale needles, which are minimally invasive, yet able to deliver the drugs across this barrier layer. In this study, we fabricated microneedles from a biocompatible polymer, namely, poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate. A simple lithographical approach was developed for microneedle array fabrication. Several factors including polymerization time, ultraviolet light intensity and distance from light source were studied for their effects on microneedle formation. The microneedle length and tip diameter can be controlled by varying these factors. The microneedles were shown to be able to penetrate cadaver pig skin. Model drug rhodamine B was encapsulated in the range of 50 µg to 450 µg per microneedle array. The fabricated microneedles containing rhodamine B increased the permeability by four times than the control. Altogether, we demonstrated that the microneedle arrays can be fabricated through a simple single-step process and needles were mechanically strong to penetrate skin, increasing the permeability of encapsulated drug through skin.     

Microemulsions as transdermal drug delivery systems for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): a literature review

Abstract

Pain is a global crisis and significant efforts have gone into the development of drugs that can be used to treat pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of analgesics that act to selectively relieve pain and inflammation without significantly altering consciousness. Although there have been many advancements with NSAIDs drug development; these drugs still present with severe adverse effects and toxicities, which often limits their use in many patients. Moreover, others are inadequate in relieving specific types of pain such as localized or nerve pain because of poor systemic absorption with conventional delivery systems. The topical route of drug delivery has been used to avoid many of these effects, but not without challenges of its own. The skin acts as an impermeable barrier to most polar drug candidate and absorption across the dermal membranes is often too slow and incomplete to produce meaningful therapeutic benefit. Nevertheless, the use of microemulsions as topical delivery systems for small molecule drug candidates like NSAIDs has been posited as a solution to this problem for years. This review focuses on the recent use of microemulsions as a probable solution to the challenges of transdermal drug delivery of NSAIDs and how microemulsions may be used to enhance the development of more effective but safer analgesic drug products for patients.     

Development and optimization of self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) for curcumin transdermal delivery: an anti-inflammatory exposure

The purpose of this work is to develop novel lipid-based self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) as carriers for transdermal delivery of curcumin. SNEDDS containing black seed oil, medium chain mono- and diglycerides and surfactants, were prepared as curcumin delivery vehicles. Their formation spontaneity, morphology, droplet size, and drug loading were evaluated. Gel preparation containing two of the SNEDDS formulations were used in the carrageenan induced paw edema to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect. Results showed droplet size as low as 71?nm. The highest drug loading was observed with SNEDDS-F6 of ～45?mg/g. In in-vivo investigation, SNEDDS-F6 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities in terms of 80% reduction in paw edema when compared with positive control. The prepared SNEDDS with the elevated entrapment efficiency, good transdermal penetration ability could be a suitable candidate for effective transdermal curcumin skin delivery.     

Recent advances in gel technologies for topical and transdermal drug delivery

Transdermal drug delivery systems are a constant source of interest because of the benefits that they afford in overcoming many drawbacks associated with other modes of drug delivery (i.e. oral, intravenous). Because of the impermeable nature of the skin, designing a suitable drug delivery vehicle that penetrates the skin barrier is challenging. Gels are semisolid formulations, which have an external solvent phase, may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic in nature, and are immobilized within the spaces of a three-dimensional network structure. Gels have a broad range of applications in food, cosmetics, biotechnology, pharmatechnology, etc. Typically, gels can be distinguished according to the nature of the liquid phase, for example, organogels (oleogels) contain an organic solvent, and hydrogels contain water. Recent studies have reported other types of gels for dermal drug application, such as proniosomal gels, emulgels, bigels and aerogels. This review aims to introduce the latest trends in transdermal drug delivery via traditional hydrogels and organogels and to provide insight into the latest gel types (proniosomal gels, emulgels, bigels and aerogels) as well as recent technologies for topical and transdermal drug delivery.     

Development of novel pH-sensitive nanoparticles loaded hydrogel for transdermal drug delivery

Objective: Difference of pH that exists between the skin surface and blood circulation can be exploited for transdermal delivery of drug molecules by loading drug into pH-sensitive polymer. Eudragit S100 (ES100), a pH-sensitive polymer having dissolution profile above pH 7.4, is used in oral, ocular, vaginal and topical delivery of drug molecules. However, pH-sensitive potential of this polymer has not been explored for transdermal delivery. The aim of this research work was to exploit the pH-sensitive potential of ES100 as a nanocarrier for transdermal delivery of model drug, that is, Piroxicam.

Methods: Simple nanoprecipitation technique was employed to prepare the nanoparticles and response surface quadratic model was applied to get an optimized formulation. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized and loaded into Carbopol 934 based hydrogel. In vitro release, ex vivo permeation and accelerated stability studies were carried out on the prepared formulation.

Results: Particles with an average size of 25–40?nm were obtained with an encapsulation efficiency of 88%. Release studies revealed that nanoparticles remained stable at acidic pH while sustained release with no initial burst effect was observed at pH 7.4 from the hydrogel. Permeation of these nanocarriers from hydrogel matrix showed significant permeation of Piroxicam through mice skin.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that ES100 based pH-sensitive nanoparticles have potential to be delivered through transdermal route.     

长春新碱透皮给药系统筛选及其透皮机理研究

分别制备了含不同表面活性剂的载长春新碱传递体(VCR-T)和载长春新碱壳聚糖纳米粒(VCR-CS-NPs),通过体外透皮试验,比较了不同透皮给药系统的透皮效果,并用DSC扫描探索了透皮效果差异的原因.所制备的VCR-T包封率从50%至80%不等,粒径90nm左右;VCR-CS-NPs的包封率为50%,粒径200nm左右;透射电镜下观察VCR-T和VCR-CS-NPs均外形圆整光滑,不粘连.体外透皮结果显示含Brij78的VCR-T为最佳的VCR透皮给药系统,DSC扫描认为这与载体与Brij78的相互作用有关;VCR-CS-NPs不能很好地透过皮肤,这可能与其粒径较大有关.     

Rapidly dissolving fibroin microneedles for transdermal drug delivery

This paper presents rapidly dissolving fibroin microneedles (MNs) for the first time. A reverse PDMS MNs mold was first created and drug-contained fibroin solution was poured into this reverse PDMS MNs mold. Fibroin MNs were successfully fabricated after fan drying and detaching the solidified drug-contained fibroin structure from the PDMS mold. The fibroin serves as a matrix to incorporate drug molecules while maintaining the drug activity. The dimensions of the fabricated fibroin MNs are 500 μm in length, 200 μm in diameter at the base, and 5 μm in radius at the tip. These fibroin MNs can dissolve within minutes under the skin to release the drug molecules and the dissolved fibroin in the skin generates noninflammatory amino acid degradation products usable in cell metabolic functions. The fibroin MNs containing methylene blue as a drug were fabricated and their surface morphology, internal structure, mechanical property, and the dissolving characteristics were analyzed. These rapidly dissolving fibroin MNs provide more benefit than conventional syringes for painless transdermal drug delivery.     

Damar Batu as a novel matrix former for the transdermal drug delivery: in vitro evaluation

Purpose: Damar Batu (DB) is a novel film-forming biomaterial obtained from Shorea species, evaluated in this study for its potential application in transdermal drug delivery system. Methods: DB was characterized initially in terms of acid value, softening point, molecular weight (M_w), polydispersity index (M_w/M_n), and glass transition temperature (T_g). Neat, plasticized films of DB were investigated for mechanical properties. The biomaterial was further investigated as a matrix-forming agent for transdermal drug delivery system. Developed matrix-type transdermal patches were evaluated for thickness and weight uniformity, folding endurance, drug content, in vitro drug release study, and skin permeation study. Results: On the basis of in vitro drug release and in vitro skin permeation performance, formulation containing DB/Eudragit RL100 (60 : 40) was found to be better than other formulations and was selected as the optimized formulation. IR analysis of physical mixture of drug and polymer and thin layer chromatography study exhibited compatibility between drug and polymer. Conclusion: From the outcome of this study, it can be concluded that applying suitable adhesive layer and backing membrane-developed DB/ERL100, transdermal patches can be of potential therapeutic use.     

Polymer-grafted hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles integrated with microneedle patches for glucose-responsive drug delivery

A glucose-mediated drug delivery system would be highly satisfactory fordiabetes diagnosis since it can intelligently release drug based on blood glucose levels.Herein,a glucose-responsive drug delivery system by integrating glucose-responsivepoly(3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid)(PAPBA)functionalized hollow mesoporous silicananoparticles(HMSNs)with transcutaneous microneedles(MNs)has been designed.Thegrafted PAPBA serves as gatekeeper to prevent drug release from HMSNs atnormoglycemic levels.In contrast,faster drug release is detected at a typicalhyperglycemic level,which is due to the change of hydrophilicity of PAPBA at highglucose concentration.After transdermal administration to diabetic rats,an effectivehypoglycemic effect is achieved compared with that of subcutaneous injection.Theseobservations indicate that the designed glucose-responsive drug delivery system has apotential application in diabetes treatment.     

Fast-drying multi-laminate bioadhesive films for transdermal and topical drug delivery

No bioadhesive patch-based system is currently marketed. This is despite an extensive number of literature reports on such systems detailing their advantages over conventional pressure sensitive adhesive-based patches in wet environments and describing successful delivery of a diverse array of drug substances. This lack of proprietary bioadhesive patches is largely due to the fact that such systems are exclusively water-based, meaning drying is difficult. In this paper we describe, for the first time, a novel multiple lamination method for production of bioadhesive patches. In contrast to patches produced using a conventional casting approach, which took 48 hours to dry, bioadhesive films prepared using the novel multiple lamination method were dried in 15?min and were folded into formed patches in a further 10?min. Patches prepared by both methods had comparable physicochemical properties. The multiple lamination method allowed supersaturation of 5-aminolevulinic acid to be achieved in formed patch matrices. However, drug release studies were unable to show an advantage for supersaturation with this particular drug, due to its water high solubility. The multiple lamination method allowed greater than 90% of incorporated nicotine to remain within formed patches, in contrast to the 48% achieved for patches prepared using a conventional casting approach. The procedure described here could readily be adapted for automation by industry. Due to the reduced time, energy and ensuing finance now required, this could lead to bioadhesive patch-based drug delivery systems becoming commercially viable. This would, in turn, mean that pathological conditions occurring in wet or moist areas of the body could now be routinely treated by prolonged site-specific drug delivery, as mediated by a commercially produced bioadhesive patch.     

Physicochemical studies of binary eutectic of ibuprofen and ketoprofen for enhanced transdermal drug delivery

Methods: The thermodynamic, eutectic, and crystalline properties of ibuprofen and ketoprofen binary mixtures were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD). Results: The DSC studies showed that melting point (61°C), enthalpy (11.3 kJ/mol), and entropy of fusion (33.7 J/K/mol) of the binary eutectic were significantly lower than those of the individual anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Due to the melting-point depression and enhanced skin lipid solubility, the steady-state flux of ibuprofen and ketoprofen from preparations of the binary eutectic increased as compared to pure NSAIDs using shed snakeskin as a model membrane. The NSAID membrane flux values were calculated by flux ratio equations based on drug thermodynamic data, and compared to experimental values obtained from permeation studies. Conclusion: The proposed flux ratio equations correctly predicted flux increase.     

低频超声经皮给药仪设计

利用低频超声波通过介质时对皮肤产生的空化作用、热效应、声微流作用和辐射压等作用能够提供十倍于常规给药方法的持续稳定的渗透率,并且它能够避免首过效应等优点,采用了自动控制和适时控制相结合的智能控制方式,设计了一种基于DS80C320单片机的低频超声经皮给药系统。介绍了它的设计原理、硬件结构,软件流程以及具体实现功能。设计表明,该系统智能化高安全性强,能利用温度、频率和强度等多种因素来促进药物的经皮渗透性。可用于慢性肾功能不全、尿毒症、骨、关节炎和全身性皮肤病的药物经皮渗透,是一套具有实用价值的开发系统。     

Preparation and characterization of PEG-modified polyurethane pressure-sensitive adhesives for transdermal drug delivery

Background: The purpose of this work was to develop novel pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) for transdermal drug-delivery systems (TDDS) with proper adhesive properties, hydrophilicity, biocompatibility and high drug loading. Method: Polyethyleneglycol-modified polyurethane PSAs (PEG-PU-PSAs) were synthesized by prepolymerization method with PEG-modified co-polyether and hexamethylene diisocyanate. The effects of reaction temperature, catalyst, ratios of NCO/OH, co-polyether composition, and chain extender were investigated. Drug loading was studied by using thiamazole (hydrophilic drug), diclofenac sodium (slightly hydrophilic drug), and ibuprofen (lipophilic drug) as model drugs. In vitro drug-release kinetics obtained with Franz diffusion cell and dialysis membrane. Results: The results showed that when reaction temperature at 80°C, weight percentage of stannous octoate as catalyst at 0.05%, ratio of NCO/OH at 2.0–2.2, ratio of PEG/polypropylene glycol (PPG)/polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMG) at 30/25–30/50–55, and weight percentage of glycol as chain extender at 4.5%, PEGPU-PSAs synthesized performed well on adhesive properties. Actually, PEG on the main chain of the PU could improve the hydrophilicity of PSAs, whereas PPG and PTMG could offer proper adhesive properties. Skin compatibility test on volunteers indicated that PEG-PU-PSAs would not cause any skin irritations. All the model drugs had excellent stabilizations in PEG-PU-PSAs. In vitro drug-release kinetics demonstrated that the drug release depended on drug-loading level and solubility of the drug. Conclusion: These experimental results indicated that PEG-PU-PSAs have good potential for applications in TDDS.     

Advances in Antimicrobial Microneedle Patches for Combating Infections

Skin infections caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi are difficult to treat by conventional topical administration because of poor drug penetration across the stratum corneum. This results in low bioavailability of drugs to the infection site, as well as the lack of prolonged release. Emerging antimicrobial transdermal and ocular microneedle patches have become promising medical devices for the delivery of various antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral therapeutics. In the present review, skin anatomy and its barriers along with skin infection are discussed. Potential strategies for designing antimicrobial microneedles and their targeted therapy are outlined. Finally, biosensing microneedle patches associated with personalized drug therapy and selective toxicity toward specific microbial species are discussed.     

一种用于药物释控系统的微针阵列及其制作方法的研究

 通过皮肤输送药物最大的障碍是皮肤最外层的角质层．传统的静脉注射用针只有刺透皮肤深入到深层组织内部,才能有效地输送药物,这容易引起感染和疼痛,给患者造成很大的不适．介绍了一种采用硅微加工技术制作的微针,它长度适中,既能穿透皮肤的角质层,又刺激不到深层组织的神经,实现无痛注射的目的．其加工工艺是采用硅的HNA(硝酸+氢氟酸+乙酸)腐蚀系统,是一种硅的各项同性的湿法腐蚀方法．     

Basic coating polymers for the colon-specific drug delivery in inflammatory bowel disease

During acute attacks of inflammatory bowel disease, the luminal pH of the colon decreases significantly. This drop in pH can be exploited by developing coated dosage forms with acid-soluble coating polymers to achieve topical drug delivery to the colon. Two batches of minitablets, a conventional and a swellable formulation, were prepared by direct compression and coated with different amounts of either Eudragit® E or AEA® in a small coating pan. The release of the model drug dexamethasone from the coated tablets was measured spectrophotometrically at pH 2.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.8 and different stirring rates (100-200 rpm) to simulate the influence of pH and hydrodynamic stress on drug release. In general, lag times of drug release, determined as the time points of a 5% drug release, were longer with AEA-coated cores compared to those coated with Eudragit E, resulting from a lower polymer dissolution rate and water permeability of this film. In low pH media, drug release was dependent on the stirring rate because the onset of drug release is determined by the time required for dissolution of the basic polymer films. At pH 6.8, lag times from nonswelling tablets coated with Eudragit E, for which drug release only begins after complete erosion of the polymer film, are not significantly affected by hydrodynamic stress. Drug release from AEA-coated cores is determined by the slow drug diffusion through the polymer film. Lag times from tablets with swelling properties, for which drug release is induced by disruption of the basic polymer films due to water penetration and subsequent core swelling, are not significantly affected by hydrodynamic stress. Additional coating layers such as an intermediate hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) layer and an enteric outer layer do not influence the lag times of drug release, nor does a 2-hr pretreatment of the entire dosage form in acidic media.     

Enhanced transdermal delivery of carvedilol using nanoemulsion as a vehicle

The aim of the present study was to develop nanoemulsion as a possible vehicle for enhanced transdermal penetration of carvedilol (CVD). For screening of nanoemulsion components, solubility of CVD in oils, surfactants and co-surfactants was determined. Various surfactants and co-surfactants were screened for their ability to nanoemulsify the selected oily phases. The obtained results indicated that Acconon CC6® had shown good nanoemulsification efficiency (minimum surfactant required S _min?=?46.52%?w/w) among the selected surfactants and further improved in presence of CO-20® (S _min?=?37.11%?w/w). The ranges of nanoemulsion existence were delineated through the construction of the pseudo-ternary phase diagram at different ratio of surfactant mixture (S/CoS), and various nanoemulsions were selected from phase diagram of S/CoS ratio 1?:?1. The effect of content of oil and S/CoS (1?:?1) on the skin permeation of CVD was evaluated through an excised wistar rat skin using Franz diffusion cell. All the nanoemulsions showed a high skin permeation rate (92.251–161.53?µg/cm²/h), good enhancement ratio (3.5–6.2) and high permeability coefficient in comparison to control groups. The optimised nanoemulsion formulation with the highest skin permeation rate (161.53?µg/cm²/h) consisted of 0.25%?w/w CVD, 12.5%?w/w Miglyol 810®, 50%?w/w Acconon CC6®/CO-20® (1?:?1) and water. The above formulation had the smallest mean globules size (9.28?nm). The superior transdermal flux of CVD may be due to nanorange size of oil globules that lead to intimate contact with the skin layer. These studies suggest that the nanoemulsion system is a promising vehicle for the transdermal delivery of CVD.