In vitro and in vivo evaluation of microneedles coated with electrosprayed micro/nanoparticles for medical skin treatments

Abstract

Aim

Microneedles (MNs) create micropunctures and deliver drugs or nutrients deep into skin layer. We demonstrated that MNs, coated with electrosprayed nanoparticles loaded with functional molecules, are useful for transdermal delivery.

Methods

Electrospraying was utilised to generate drug-loaded nanoparticles and to create uniform coating on MNs. Process parameters and release kinetics were evaluated in vitro. The in vivo efficacy of insulin-coated MNs was investigated using diabetic rats.

Results

Electrosprayed micro/nanoparticles loaded with dye or insulin were coated on MNs with particle size of 515 ± 286 and 522 ± 261 nm, respectively. Optimally coated MNs resulted in >70% transfer rate into porcine skins. Insulin-coated MNs were applied to diabetic rats resulting in reduction of blood glucose levels fluctuations, compared to subcutaneous injections.

Conclusions

Electrospraying is shown to be an effective method to coat MNs with drug-loaded nanoparticles. Coated MNs provide a promising platform for cosmetic, drug and protein delivery applications.

Keywords:

• Electrospraying
• electrohydrodynamic atomisation
• microneedle
• dermaroller
• skin
• drug delivery

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

ST was awarded a scholarship by the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey [TUBITAK-BIDEB 2219].