Evaluation of self-dissolving needles containing low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in rats

Recent advances in delivery of transdermal nutrients: A review

Nutrients provide vital functions in the body for sustained health, which have been shown to be related to the incidence, prevention and treatment of disease. However, limited bioavailability, loss of targeting specificity and the increased hepatic metabolism limit the utilization of nutrients. In this review, we highlight transdermal absorption of nutrients, which represents an opportunity to allow great use of many nutrients with promising human health benefits. Moreover, we describe how the various types of permeation enhancers are increasingly exploited for transdermal nutrient delivery. Chemical penetration enhancers, carrier systems and physical techniques for transdermal nutrient delivery are described, with a focus on combinatorial approaches. Although there are many carrier systems and physical techniques currently in development, with some tools currently in advanced clinical trials, relatively few products have achieved full translation to clinical practice. Challenges and further developments of these tools are discussed here in this review. This review will be useful to researchers interested in transdermal applications of permeation enhancers for the efficient delivery of nutrients, providing a reference for supporting the need to take more account of specific nutritional needs in specific states.

The Role of 3D Printing Technology in Microengineering of Microneedles

Microneedles (MNs) are minimally invasive devices, which have gained extensive interest over the past decades in various fields including drug delivery, disease diagnosis, monitoring, and cosmetics. MN geometry and shape are key parameters that dictate performance and therapeutic efficacy, however, traditional fabrication methods, such as molding, may not be able to offer rapid design modifications. In this regard, the fabrication of MNs using 3D printing technology enables the rapid creation of complex MN prototypes with high accuracy and offers customizable MN devices with a desired shape and dimension. Moreover, 3D printing shows great potential in producing advanced transdermal drug delivery systems and medical devices by integrating MNs with a variety of technologies. This review aims to demonstrate the advantages of exploiting 3D printing technology as a new tool to microengineer MNs. Various 3D printing methods are introduced, and representative MNs manufactured by such approaches are highlighted in detail. The development of advanced MN devices is also included. Finally, clinical translation and future perspectives for the development of MNs using 3D printing are discussed.

Characterization of microneedles and microchannels for enhanced transdermal drug delivery

Microneedle (MN)-based technologies are currently one of the most innovative approaches that are being extensively investigated for transdermal delivery of low molecular weight drugs, biotherapeutic agents and vaccines. Extensive research reports, describing the fabrication and applications of different types of MNs, can be readily found in the literature. Effective characterization tools to evaluate the quality and performance of the MNs as well as for determination of the dimensional and kinetic properties of the microchannels created in the skin, are an essential and critical part of MN-based research. This review paper provides a comprehensive account of all such tools and techniques.

Recent advances on microneedle arrays-mediated technology in cancer diagnosis and therapy

Regarding the increasing prevalence of cancer throughout the globe, the development of novel alternatives for conventional therapies is inevitable to circumvent limitations such as low efficacy, complications, and high cost. Recently, microneedle arrays (MNs) have been introduced as a novel, minimally invasive, and low-cost approach. MNs can delivery both small molecule and macromolecular drugs or even nanoparticles (NPs) to the tumor tissue in a safe and controlled manner. Relying on the recent promising outcomes of MNs in transdermal delivery of anticancer agents, this review is aimed to summarize constituent materials, fabrication methods, advantages, and limitations of different types of MNs used in cancer therapy applications. This review paper also presents the potential use of MNs in transdermal delivery of NPs for effective chemotherapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic, and photothermal therapy. Additionally, MNs are currently explored as routine point-of-care health monitoring devices for transdermal detection of cancer biomarkers or physiologically relevant analytes which will be addressed in this paper. Despite the promising potential of MNs for cancer therapy and diagnosis, several limitations have impeded their therapeutic efficacy and real-time applicability that are addressed in this paper.

Microneedle Mediated Transdermal Delivery of Protein, Peptide and Antibody Based Therapeutics: Current Status and Future Considerations

The success of protein, peptide and antibody based therapies is evident - the biopharmaceuticals market is predicted to reach $388 billion by 2024 [1], and more than half of the current top 20 blockbuster drugs are biopharmaceuticals. However, the intrinsic properties of biopharmaceuticals has restricted the routes available for successful drug delivery. While providing 100% bioavailability, the intravenous route is often associated with pain and needle phobia from a patient perspective, which may translate as a reluctance to receive necessary treatment. Several non-invasive strategies have since emerged to overcome these limitations. One such strategy involves the use of microneedles (MNs), which are able to painlessly penetrate the stratum corneum barrier to dramatically increase transdermal drug delivery of numerous drugs. This review reports the wealth of studies that aim to enhance transdermal delivery of biopharmaceutics using MNs. The true potential of MNs as a drug delivery device for biopharmaceuticals will not only rely on acceptance from prescribers, patients and the regulatory authorities, but the ability to upscale MN manufacture in a cost-effective manner and the long term safety of MN application. Thus, the current barriers to clinical translation of MNs, and how these barriers may be overcome are also discussed.

Insulin delivery systems combined with microneedle technology

Diabetes, a metabolic disorder of glucose, is a serious chronic disease and an important public health problem. Insulin is one of the hormones for modulating blood glucose level and the products of which is indispensable for most diabetes patients. Introducing microneedles (MNs) to insulin delivery is promising to pave the way for modulating glucose level noninvasively of diabetes patients, as which born to be painless, easy to handle and no need of any power supply. In this work, we review the process of insulin delivery systems (IDSs) based on MN technology in terms of two categories: drug free MNs and drug loaded MNs. Drug free MNs include solid MNs ("poke and patch"), hollow MNs ("poke and flow") and reservoir-based swelling MNs ("poke and swell R-type"), and drug loaded MNs include coated MNs ("coat and poke"), dissolving MNs ("poke and release") and insulin incorporated swelling MNs ("poke and swell I-type"). Majority researches of MN-based IDSs have been conducted by using hollow MNs or dissolving MNs, and almost all clinical trials for MN-based IDSs have employed hollow MNs. "Poke and patch" approach dramatically increase skin permeability compared to traditional transdermal patch, but MNs fabricated from silicon or metal may leave sharp waste in the skin and cause a safety issue. "Poke and flow" approach, similar to transitional subcutaneous (SC) injection, is capable of producing faster insulin absorption and action than SC injection but may associate with blockage, leakage and low flow rate. Coated MNs are able of retaining the activity of drug, which loaded in a solid phase, for a long time, however have been relatively less studied for insulin application as the low drug dosing. "Poke and release" approach leaves no biohazardous sharp medical waste and is capable of rapid drug release. "Poke and swell R-type" can be seen as a combination of "poke and flow" and "poke and patch" approach, while "poke and swell I-type" is an approach between "coat and poke" and "poke and release" approach. Insulin MNs are promising for painless diabetes therapeutics, and additional efforts for addressing fundamental issues including the drug loading, the PK/PD profile, the storage and the safety of insulin MNs will accelerate the clinical transformation.

Polymeric microneedles for transdermal protein delivery

The intrinsic properties of therapeutic proteins generally present a major impediment for transdermal delivery, including their relatively large molecule size and susceptibility to degradation. One solution is to utilize microneedles (MNs), which are capable of painlessly traversing the stratum corneum and directly translocating protein drugs into the systematic circulation. MNs can be designed to incorporate appropriate structural materials as well as therapeutics or formulations with tailored physicochemical properties. This platform technique has been applied to deliver drugs both locally and systemically in applications ranging from vaccination to diabetes and cancer therapy. This review surveys the current design and use of polymeric MNs for transdermal protein delivery. The clinical potential and future translation of MNs are also discussed.

Dissolving microneedles for enhanced local delivery of capsaicin to rat skin tissue

Capsaicin-loaded dissolving microneedles (DMNs) were prepared to investigate the analgesic effect of capsaicin on the skin. The dimensions of each microneedle (MN) were as follows: diameter of the basement, 17 mm; length, 500 μm; and width, 300 μm. The average capsaicin content in the DMNs loaded with a low and high dose of capsaicin was 8.8 ± 0.5 mg and 12.5 ± 0.4 mg. Almost all the capsaicin, 99.3 ± 4.1% and 99.7 ± 2.2% for low-dose and high-dose DMNs were released within 20 min. High amounts of capsaicin were recovered with 102.8 ± 0.1% of capsaicin after storage at 23 °C for 90 days. The pharmacological activity of capsaicin DMNs was compared to that of capsaicin cream as a positive control, by measuring the idiospasm of depilated rat skin. The time required to achieve 50% idiospasm suppression was 26.3 ± 1.9 min and 53.0 ± 2.3 min for low-dose and high-dose DMNs. A pharmacokinetic study showed high tissue capsaicin levels of 660.2 ± 120.6 and 1805.3 ± 218.1 μg/g wet weight for low-dose and high-dose DMNs at 5 min after administration. The results suggest that DMNs could exert a rapid local analgesic action on the skin.

Microfabrication for Drug Delivery

This review is devoted to discussing the application of microfabrication technologies to target challenges encountered in life processes by the development of drug delivery systems. Recently, microfabrication has been largely applied to solve health and pharmaceutical science issues. In particular, fabrication methods along with compatible materials have been successfully designed to produce multifunctional, highly effective drug delivery systems. Microfabrication offers unique tools that can tackle problems in this field, such as ease of mass production with high quality control and low cost, complexity of architecture design and a broad range of materials. Presented is an overview of silicon- and polymer-based fabrication methods that are key in the production of microfabricated drug delivery systems. Moreover, the efforts focused on studying the biocompatibility of materials used in microfabrication are analyzed. Finally, this review discusses representative ways microfabrication has been employed to develop systems delivering drugs through the transdermal and oral route, and to improve drug eluting implants. Additionally, microfabricated vaccine delivery systems are presented due to the great impact they can have in obtaining a cold chain-free vaccine, with long-term stability. Microfabrication will continue to offer new, alternative solutions for the development of smart, advanced drug delivery systems.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Vancomycin in Dermal Interstitial Fluid Using Dissolving Microneedles

OBJECTIVE

To design an alternative painless method for vancomycin (VCM) monitoring by withdrawing interstitial fluid (ISF) the skin using dissolving microneedles (DMNs) and possibly replace the conventional clinical blood sampling method.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were anesthetized with 50 mg/kg sodium pentobarbital. Vancomycin at 5 mg/mL in saline was intravenously administered via the jugular vein. ISF was collected from a formed pore at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 120 min after the DMNs was removed from the skin. In addition, 0.3 mL blood samples were collected from the left femoral vein.

RESULTS

The correlation between the plasma and ISF VCM concentrations was significantly strong (r = 0.676, p < 0.05). Microscopic observation of the skin after application of the DMNs demonstrated their safety as a device for sampling ISF.

CONCLUSION

A novel monitoring method for VCM was developed to painlessly determine concentrations in the ISF as opposed to blood sampling.

Microneedles: bench to bedside

Microneedles are tiny micron-sized structures, made of a variety of materials, used to minimally disrupt the outermost layer of the skin for enhancing the delivery of therapeutic molecules across the skin. They are sufficiently long enough just to breach the stratum corneum barrier but too short to reach the nerve endings that perceive pain. Treating the skin using microneedles results in the creation of aqueous microchannels that promote delivery of molecules practically of any size. Small molecules, proteins, vaccines and diagnostic agents can be delivered using microneedles. This technology that has started with microstructures made of metal and silicon has now undergone significant advances in the last decade and currently there are microneedle products in the market.

Dissolving microneedles to obtain rapid local anesthetic effect of lidocaine at skin tissue

Dissolving microneedles (DMs) were applied to lidocaine for local anesthesia of the skin. Three DM array chips were prepared where lidocaine was localized at the acral portion of DMs (type 1), loaded in whole DMs (type 2), and lidocaine was loaded both in whole DMs and the chip (type 3). DM chips were 15-mm diameter with 225 DMs, each 500-μm long with a 300-μm diameter base. The lidocaine contents were (type 1) 0.08 ± 0.01 mg, (type 2) 0.22 ± 0.01 mg and (type 3) 8.52 ± 0.49 mg. Lidocaine was released from type 1 and 2 DM array chips within 10 min. Pharmacological activity of DMs were compared to lidocaine cream by the suppression of idiospasm of hair-removed rat skin. Type 1, 2 and 3 DMs showed faster onset time, 5 min, than lidocaine cream. Type 2 and 3 DMs showed stronger anti-idioplasmic activity than type 1 DMs. Pharmacokinetic study showed that tissue lidocaine levels, 62.8 ± 3.6 (type 1), 89.1 ± 9.9 (type 2) and 131.2 ± 10.2(type 3) μg/g wet weight at 5 min after the removal of DM were obtained higher than lidocaine cream, 26.2 ± 12.5 μg/g wet weight. Those results suggest the usefulness of type 2 DMs to obtain fast onset time for the local anesthesia in the skin.

Polymer microneedles for transdermal drug delivery

A microneedle system has been developed to deliver chemical and biological agents through the stratum corneum, which is the main barrier to drug delivery. Recently, microneedles have been fabricated from various kinds of polymers, including biocompatible polymer, biodegradable polymer, and water-soluble polymer. Polymer microneedles offer the benefits of ease of fabrication, cost-effectiveness, and mass production, as well as controlled drug release using the water solubility and degradation properties of polymer. In this review, the key features of polymer microneedles are discussed, including fabrication, materials, mechanical properties, drug delivery properties, and applications. Polymer microneedles provide a promising method for transdermal drug delivery by utilizing various physical and chemical properties of polymer.

Microneedles for drug and vaccine delivery

Microneedles were first conceptualized for drug delivery many decades ago, but only became the subject of significant research starting in the mid-1990's when microfabrication technology enabled their manufacture as (i) solid microneedles for skin pretreatment to increase skin permeability, (ii) microneedles coated with drug that dissolves off in the skin, (iii) polymer microneedles that encapsulate drug and fully dissolve in the skin and (iv) hollow microneedles for drug infusion into the skin. As shown in more than 350 papers now published in the field, microneedles have been used to deliver a broad range of different low molecular weight drugs, biotherapeutics and vaccines, including published human studies with a number of small-molecule and protein drugs and vaccines. Influenza vaccination using a hollow microneedle is in widespread clinical use and a number of solid microneedle products are sold for cosmetic purposes. In addition to applications in the skin, microneedles have also been adapted for delivery of bioactives into the eye and into cells. Successful application of microneedles depends on device function that facilitates microneedle insertion and possible infusion into skin, skin recovery after microneedle removal, and drug stability during manufacturing, storage and delivery, and on patient outcomes, including lack of pain, skin irritation and skin infection, in addition to drug efficacy and safety. Building off a strong technology base and multiple demonstrations of successful drug delivery, microneedles are poised to advance further into clinical practice to enable better pharmaceutical therapies, vaccination and other applications.

Transdermal insulin application system with dissolving microneedles

BACKGROUND

The aim of this report was to develop a dissolving microneedle (DM) application system, where 225-300 insulin-loaded DMs were formed on a chip. After the heat-sealed sheet is removed, the system covered with the press-through package layer is put on the skin. By pressing with the hand, insulin DMs were inserted into the skin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Factors affecting the penetration depth of DM were studied using applicator in vitro and in vivo experiments. The penetration depth was determined for rat and human skin. Two-layered DM array chips were prepared to obtain complete absorption of insulin and administered to the rat abdominal skin. Plasma glucose levels were measured for 6 h. By comparing the hypoglycemic effect with that obtained after subcutaneous injection, relative pharmacological availability (RPA) was determined.

RESULTS

The penetration depth increased from 21 ± 3 μm to 63 ± 2 μm in proportion to application speed to isolated rat skin, at 0.8-2.2 m/s. Human skin showed similar results in the penetration depth. The in vivo penetration depth was dependent on the force (0.5-2.5 N) and duration (1-10 min), as the secondary application force. The penetration depth was 211 ± 3 μm with a duration of 3 min in the in vivo rat experiment. DM array chips having an insulin-loaded space of 181.2 ± 4.2 and 209 ± 3.9 μm were evaluated in the rat. RPA values of insulin from DMs were 98.1 ± 0.8% and 98.1 ± 3.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest the usefulness of the two-layered DM application system for the transdermal delivery of insulin.

Laser-engineered dissolving microneedles for active transdermal delivery of nadroparin calcium

There is an urgent need to replace the injection currently used for low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) multidose therapy with a non- or minimally invasive delivery approach. In this study, laser-engineered dissolving microneedle (DMN) arrays fabricated from aqueous blends of 15% w/w poly(methylvinylether-co-maleic anhydride) were used for the first time in active transdermal delivery of the LMWH nadroparin calcium (NC). Importantly, an array loading of 630IU of NC was achieved without compromising the array mechanical strength or drug bioactivity. Application of NC-DMNs to dermatomed human skin (DHS) using the single-step 'poke and release' approach allowed permeation of approximately 10.6% of the total NC load over a 48-h study period. The cumulative amount of NC that permeated DHS at 24h and 48h attained 12.28±4.23IU/cm(2) and 164.84±8.47IU/cm(2), respectively. Skin permeation of NC could be modulated by controlling the DMN array variables, such as MN length and array density as well as application force to meet various clinical requirements including adjustment for body mass and renal function. NC-loaded DMN offers great potential as a relatively low-cost functional delivery system for enhanced transdermal delivery of LMWH and other macromolecules.

Two-layered dissolving microneedles formulated with intermediate-acting insulin

Two-layered dissolving microneedles (DMs) containing intermediate-acting insulin, protamine sulfate insulin (PSI), were prepared. Then a pharmacodynamic study was performed to evaluate the prolonged hypoglycemic effects in rats. The DMs were approximately 497±5 μm long, with 303±3 μm diameter at their base. The length of the insulin loaded space was 182±4 μm. PSI contents in DMs were 0.51±0.02 IU. A three-month stability study showed that 99.9±1.4% of PSI was recovered at 4 °C. As the temperature increased to 40 °C, recovery decreased to 97.5±2.0%. PSI was released within 5 min from DMs. Hypoglycemic effects of PSI DMs were evaluated in rats where subcutaneous injection preparations were used as references. Total area above the plasma glucose level (% of the pre-dose level) vs. time curve as an index of hypoglycemic effect was 144.0±16.0% h and 243.3±8.5% h for PSI DMs at 1.46 and 3.28 IU/kg. The relative pharmacologic availability of PSI from DMs were 100.2±9.8% and 91.4±4.1%. No significant difference of hypoglycemic curves was found between DMs and injection solutions, which suggests the usefulness of two-layered DMs of PSI for the displacement therapy of sc injection preparation.

Protein encapsulation in polymeric microneedles by photolithography

BACKGROUND

Recent interest in biocompatible polymeric microneedles for the delivery of biomolecules has propelled considerable interest in fabrication of microneedles. It is important that the fabrication process is feasible for drug encapsulation and compatible with the stability of the drug in question. Moreover, drug encapsulation may offer the advantage of higher drug loading compared with other technologies, such as drug coating.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we encapsulated a model protein drug, namely, bovine serum albumin, in polymeric microneedles by photolithography. Drug distribution within the microneedle array was found to be uniform. The encapsulated protein retained its primary, secondary, and tertiary structural characteristics. In vitro release of the encapsulated protein showed that almost all of the drug was released into phosphate buffered saline within 6 hours. The in vitro permeation profile of encapsulated bovine serum albumin through rat skin was also tested and shown to resemble the in vitro release profile, with an initial release burst followed by a slow release phase. The cytotoxicity of the microneedles without bovine serum albumin was tested in three different cell lines. High cell viabilities were observed, demonstrating the innocuous nature of the microneedles.

CONCLUSION

The microneedle array can potentially serve as a useful drug carrier for proteins, peptides, and vaccines.

Novel methods and devices to enhance transdermal drug delivery: the importance of laser radiation in transdermal drug delivery

Skin permeation-enhancement technology is a rapidly developing field, which could significantly increase the number of drugs suitable for transdermal delivery. In this review, we highlight recent advances in both ‘passive’ and ‘active’ transdermal drug-delivery technologies, as well as in the laser ablation method. This paper concludes with a brief forward-looking perspective discussing what can be expected as laser technology continues to develop in the coming years.

Antigen-loaded dissolving microneedle array as a novel tool for percutaneous vaccination

Antigen-loaded dissolving microneedle array (dMNA) patches were investigated as novel systems for vaccine delivery into the skin, where immuno-competent dendritic cells are densely distributed. We fabricated micron-scale needles arrayed on patches, using chondroitin sulfate mixed with a model antigen, ovalbumin. Insertion of dMNA effectively delivered substantial amounts of ovalbumin into the skin within 3 min and induced robust antigen-specific antibody responses in the sera of mice. The antibody dose-response relationship showed that the efficiency of dMNA patch immunization was comparable to that of conventional intradermal injections. Thus, Antigen-loaded dMNA patches are a promising antigen-delivery system for percutaneous vaccination.

NANO/MICROSCALE TECHNOLOGIES FOR DRUG DELIVERY

Nano- and microscale technologies have made a marked impact on the development of drug delivery systems. The loading efficiency and particle size of nano/micro particles can be better controlled with these new technologies than conventional methods. Moreover, drug delivery systems are moving from simple particles to smart particles and devices with programmable functions. These technologies are also contributing to in vitro and in vivo drug testing, which are important to evaluate drug delivery systems. For in vitro tests, lab-on-a-chip models are potentially useful as alternatives to animal models. For in vivo test, nano/micro-biosensors are developed for testing chemicals and biologics with high sensitivity and selectivity. Here, we review the recent development of nanoscale and microscale technologies in drug delivery including drug delivery systems, in vitro and in vivo tests.

Microneedles: an emerging transdermal drug delivery system

OBJECTIVES

One of the thrust areas in drug delivery research is transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) due to their characteristic advantages over oral and parenteral drug delivery systems. Researchers have focused their attention on the use of microneedles to overcome the barrier of the stratum corneum. Microneedles deliver the drug into the epidermis without disruption of nerve endings. Recent advances in the development of microneedles are discussed in this review for the benefit of young scientists and to promote research in the area.

KEY FINDINGS

Microneedles are fabricated using a microelectromechanical system employing silicon, metals, polymers or polysaccharides. Solid coated microneedles can be used to pierce the superficial skin layer followed by delivery of the drug. Advances in microneedle research led to development of dissolvable/degradable and hollow microneedles to deliver drugs at a higher dose and to engineer drug release. Iontophoresis, sonophoresis and electrophoresis can be used to modify drug delivery when used in concern with hollow microneedles. Microneedles can be used to deliver macromolecules such as insulin, growth hormones, immunobiologicals, proteins and peptides. Microneedles containing 'cosmeceuticals' are currently available to treat acne, pigmentation, scars and wrinkles, as well as for skin tone improvement.

SUMMARY

Literature survey and patents filled revealed that microneedle-based drug delivery system can be explored as a potential tool for the delivery of a variety of macromolecules that are not effectively delivered by conventional transdermal techniques.

Microneedle-based drug delivery systems: microfabrication, drug delivery, and safety

Many promising therapeutic agents are limited by their inability to reach the systemic circulation, due to the excellent barrier properties of biological membranes, such as the stratum corneum (SC) of the skin or the sclera/cornea of the eye and others. The outermost layer of the skin, the SC, is the principal barrier to topically-applied medications. The intact SC thus provides the main barrier to exogenous substances, including drugs. Only drugs with very specific physicochemical properties (molecular weight < 500 Da, adequate lipophilicity, and low melting point) can be successfully administered transdermally. Transdermal delivery of hydrophilic drugs and macromolecular agents of interest, including peptides, DNA, and small interfering RNA is problematic. Therefore, facilitation of drug penetration through the SC may involve by-pass or reversible disruption of SC molecular architecture. Microneedles (MNs), when used to puncture skin, will by-pass the SC and create transient aqueous transport pathways of micron dimensions and enhance the transdermal permeability. These micropores are orders of magnitude larger than molecular dimensions, and, therefore, should readily permit the transport of hydrophilic macromolecules. Various strategies have been employed by many research groups and pharmaceutical companies worldwide, for the fabrication of MNs. This review details various types of MNs, fabrication methods and, importantly, investigations of clinical safety of MN.

Targeted, needle-free vaccinations in skin using multilayered, densely-packed dissolving microprojection arrays

Targeting of vaccines to abundant immune cell populations within our outer thin skin layers using miniaturized devices-much thinner than a needle and syringe, could improve the efficacy of vaccines (and other immunotherapies). To meet this goal, a densely packed dissolving microprojection array (dissolving Nanopatch) is designed, achieving functional miniaturization by 1) formulating small microneedles (two orders of magnitude smaller than a standard needle and syringe) and 2) multiple layering of the payload within microprojections with tight tolerances (of the order of a micrometer). The formulation method is suitable to many vaccines because it is without harsh or complex chemical processes, and it is performed at low temperatures and at a neutral pH. When the formulated dNPs are applied to skin, consistent and robust penetration is achieved, rapidly targeting the skin strata of interest (<5 min; significantly faster than larger dissolving microneedles that have been previously reported). Resultant diffusion is significantly enhanced within the dermis compared with the epidermis. Using two different antigens (ovalbumin and a commercial trivalent influenza vaccine [Fluvax2008]), the administration of these dissolving patches generate robust systemic immune responses in a mouse model. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of successful vaccination with any form of dissolving microneedles. The patches made by this method therefore have the potential for pain-free, needle-free, and effective vaccination in humans.

Permeation enhancement of ascorbic acid by self-dissolving micropile array tip through rat skin

Ascorbic acid (AA) loaded self-dissolving micropiles (SDMP) were prepared using chondroitin sulfate as the base for the percutaneous administration of AA. AA solution was added to dense solution of chondroitin solution, glue, and array tip, 1.0 cm(2), containing 100 SDMPs of which length was 500 microm and basal diameter was 300 microm, were prepared. Two kinds of AA array tips containing 1344.2+/-1.7 microg (high content ones) and 638.7+/-4.3 microg (low content ones) were used. In vitro dissolution study showed that more than 90% of AA were released from both SDMP array tips within 5 min. Stability experiment showed that 99.2-99.4% of AA was detected in SDMP array tips when stored at 23 degrees C for 1 week. When in vitro permeation experiments were performed after AA SDMP array was inserted to the isolated rat abdominal skin, extremely high amounts of AA, 1285.3+/-369.0 microg (95.3%) for high content SDMP tip and 405.6+/-84.3 microg (65.8%) for low content SDMP tip, were permeated for 6 h into the receptor compartment due to the break down of the skin barrier function. When AA SDMP array tip was administered to the rat skin under anesthetized condition with the different contact times, 10, 20 and 30 min, the permeated amount of AA was dependent on both the AA content in SDMP array tips and the contact time. When AA SDMP was contact to the skin for 30 min, permeated amounts of AA were 146.8+/-22.9 microg (10.9%) for high content-SDMP tip and 61.2+/-18.2 microg (9.6%) for low content SDMP tip. These results suggest the usefulness of SDMP array tip for the percutaneous absorption of AA.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of insulin dissolving microneedles in dogs

BACKGROUND

This study tested the hypothesis that dissolving microneedles are a useful transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) for insulin.

METHODS

Insulin was loaded on a patch (1.0 cm2) that had 100 dissolving microneedles with chondroitin sulfate by microfabrication technology. Pharmacodynamic evaluation was performed by applying two or four patches to the shaved abdominal skin of dogs, and blood samples were collected for 360 min to measure plasma glucose and insulin levels. In diffusion experiment, microneedles containing fluorescein isothiocyanate-insulin and/or Evans blue were administered to the rat skin, and the diffusion rates of tracers were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean length, diameter of basement, and drug-loaded space from the top of the microneedles were 492.6 +/- 2.4, 290.0 +/- 3.6, and 316.0 +/- 7.3 microm, respectively. The insulin content was 1.67 +/- 0.17 IU per patch. The time when the minimum plasma glucose level was obtained was 50.0 +/- 8.7 min for two-patch and 82.5 +/- 14.4 min for four-patch studies. A dose-dependent hypoglycemic effect was observed. By comparing the cumulative percentage change in the plasma glucose level between insulin microneedles and solution, the relative physiological availabilities were calculated to be 71.1 +/- 17.8% (for two patches) and 59.3 +/- 4.4% (for four patches). Bioavailabilities of insulin from microneedles were 72.1 +/- 11.6% (for two patches) and 72.4 +/- 8.3% (for four patches). High diffusion rates of fluorescein isothiocyanate-insulin and Evans blue were observed at the administered skin site and correlated well with the high absorption rate of insulin into the systemic circulation. Insulin was stable in dissolving microneedles for 1 month at 4 degrees C; the recovered percentage was 99.2 +/- 13.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Dissolving microneedles were demonstrated to be a useful TDDS as an immediate-acting insulin preparation.

Self-dissolving micropiles for the percutaneous absorption of recombinant human growth hormone in rats

The feasibility of self-dissolving micropiles (SDMP) as a percutaneous delivery system of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been studied in rats using SDMP where dextran was used as a base. After mixing dextran solution with rhGH, SDMPs were prepared by pulling with polypropyrene tips. The mean weight, length and diameter were 0.68+/-0.05 mg, 3.2+/-0.5 mm and 0.6+/-0.2 microm, respectively. To evaluate the bioavailability (BA) of rhGH percutaneously administered by SDMP, an absorption experiment was performed in rats. RhGH SDMPs were inserted into the rats skin, 200 microg kg(-1), and plasma rhGH levels were measured by an ELISA method. Peak plasma rhGH level, 132.8+/-11.8 ng ml(-1), appeared at 0.8+/-0.2 h. By comparing the plasma rhGH levels vs. time profiles after the administration of SDMP and intravenous injection of rhGH solution, 5 microg kg(-1), BA of rhGH from SDMP was calculated to be 87.5%. Theses results may suggest that SDMP can be used as a novel percutaneous drug delivery system.