A Semi-Dissolving Microneedle Patch Incorporating TEMPO-Oxidized Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery

Although dissolving microneedles have garnered considerable attention as transdermal delivery tools, insufficient drug loading remains a challenge owing to their small dimension. Herein, we report a one-step process of synthesizing semi-dissolving microneedle (SDMN) patches that enable effective transdermal drug delivery without loading drugs themselves by introducing TEMPO-oxidized bacterial cellulose nanofibers (TOBCNs), which are well dispersed, while retaining their unique properties in the aqueous phase. The SDMN patch fabricated by the micro-molding of a TOBCN/hydrophilic biopolymer mixture had a two-layer structure comprising a water-soluble needle layer and a TOBCN-containing insoluble backing layer.

Moreover, the SDMN patch, which had a hole in the backing layer where TOBCNs are distributed uniformly, could offer novel advantages for the delivery of large quantities of active ingredients. In vitro permeation analysis confirmed that TOBCNs with high water absorption capacity could serve as drug reservoirs. Upon SDMN insertion and the application of drug aqueous solution through the drug inlet hole, the TOBCNs rapidly absorbed the solution and supplied it to the needle layer. Simultaneously, the needle layer dissolved in body fluids and the drug solution to form micro-channels, which enabled the delivery of larger quantities of drugs to the skin compared to that enabled by solution application alone.

Download the full paper as PDF: A Semi-Dissolving Microneedle Patch Incorporating TEMPO-Oxidized Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery

Fungal Infections: Effect of Eudragit RL-100 Based Miconazole Film Forming Spray

Microemulsion-Based Polymer Gels with Ketoprofen and Menthol: Physicochemical Properties and Drug Release Studies

Improvement of lidocaine skin permeation by using passive and active enhancer methods

or read on Semi-Dissolving Microneedle Patch here

Song, J.E.; Jun, S.-H.; Park, S.-G.; Kang, N.-G. A Semi-Dissolving Microneedle Patch Incorporating TEMPO-Oxidized Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery. Polymers 2020, 12, 1873.
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12091873

Keywords: semi-dissolving microneedles; bacterial cellulose nanofibers; bio-based polymer microneedles; two-layer microneedles; enhanced transdermal delivery; drug inlet holes
Excipients: CMC, Trehalose, Glycerin, Polysorbat (Tween 20), Retinol 50c, Compritol 888 ATO

excipients formulation