An acryl resin-based swellable microneedles for controlled release intradermal delivery of granisetron

Abstract

Swellable microneedles (SMNs) are made of hydrogels and can deliver drug with controlled delivery rate by the cross-link density of the hydrogel. In this study, an acryl resin-based SMNs was developed for poorly water-soluble drugs. The making process of the SMNs is very simple and only need 60 min. The SMNs has high mechanical strength and is not easily broken. In-vitro release of SMNs-loaded model drug, granisetron base (GRB), was investigated. The results showed that seven days controlled release of GRB was obtained when SMNs contained pore-foaming agents (1.5% dicalcium phosphate (CaHPO₄) and 1.5% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)). The maximum amount delivered into skin was 86.158 ± 7.82% of the initial GRB (2.1 mg) loaded on SMNs preparation. Pharmacokinetics study in rats indicated a dose-dependent profile of plasma GRB concentrations and that the controlled release of 2.1 mg dose was observed for 144 hours. In conclusion, these SMNs provided a potential minimally invasive route for controlled-release systemic delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Keywords:

• Swellable microneedles
• granisetron
• controlled-release
• poorly water-soluble drugs
• acrylic resin

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Plan of China [No. 2016YFC1000902].