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Analyzing polymeric matrix for fabrication of a biodegradable microneedle array to enhance transdermal delivery

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Abstract

Traditional drug delivery systems, using invasive, transdermal, and oral routes, are limited by various factors, such as the digestive system environment, skin protection, and sensory nerve stimulation. To improve the drug delivery system, we fabricated a polysaccharide-based, dissolvable microneedle-based array, which combines the advantages of both invasive and transdermal delivery systems, and promises to be an innovative solution for minimally invasive drug delivery. In this study, we designed a reusable aluminum mold that greatly improved the efficiency and convenience of microneedle fabrication. Physical characterization of the polysaccharides, individual or mixed at different ratios, was performed to identify a suitable molecule to fabricate the dissolvable microneedle. We used a vacuum deposition-based micro-molding method at low temperature to fabricate the model. Using a series of checkpoints from material into product, a systematic feedback mechanism was built into the “all-in-one” fabrication step, which helped to improve production yields. The physical properties of the fabricated microneedle were assessed. The cytotoxicity analysis and animal testing of the microneedle demonstrated the safety and compatibility of the microneedle, and the successful penetration and effective release of a model protein.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the University System of Taipei Joint Research Program for funding support (NTUT-TMU-103-03; USTP-NTUT-TMU-105-04). We also thank the National Laboratory Animal Center for their help in carrying out the skin penetration studies in mice.

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Author notes

  1. Kuo-Yuan Hwa and Vincent HS Chang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Science and Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, No. 1 Sec. 3 ZhongXiao E. Rd., Taipei, 10608, Taiwan

    Kuo-Yuan Hwa, Yao-Yi Cheng, Yue-Da Wang & Boopathi Subramani

  2. Center for Biomedical Industry, National Taipei University of Technology, No. 1 Sec. 3 ZhongXiao E. Rd., Taipei, 10608, Taiwan

    Kuo-Yuan Hwa & Pey-Shynan Jan

  3. College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Vincent H. S. Chang & Bo-Kai Wang

  4. Laboratory Animal Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Min-Ju Wu

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  1. Kuo-Yuan Hwa
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Correspondence to Kuo-Yuan Hwa.

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All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted.

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Hwa, KY., Chang, V.H.S., Cheng, YY. et al. Analyzing polymeric matrix for fabrication of a biodegradable microneedle array to enhance transdermal delivery. Biomed Microdevices 19, 84 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-017-0224-x

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