Microneedles containing cross-linked hyaluronic acid particulates for control of degradation and swelling behaviour after administration into skin

Abstract

Microneedles (MN) containing cross-linked hyaluronic acid (X-linked HA) particulates were prepared to control the degradation and swelling behaviour after transdermal drug delivery. The X-linked HA particulates were prepared by cross-linking HA chains and then passing the particulates through a sieve. Then, microneedles were prepared by micromolding method. The rheological properties of X-linked HA were studied. The penetration success rate, mechanical failure and dissolution rate of microneedles containing only hyaluronic acid (HA MN) and microneedles containing X-linked HA were compared. The delivery of fluorescein into the skin with X-linked HA MN was also observed using a confocal microscope. The size of the pulverised particulates in water ranged between 29 and 82 μm in diameter. The HA MN and X-linked HA MN were 270 μm in length. X-linked HA MN with fluorescein was inserted to a depth of 90% of the microneedle length successfully. There was no decrease in the penetration success rate for MN with up to 20% content of X-linked HA particulates. X-linked HA MN with up to 20% of particulate content did not change the dissolution time. Delay in degradation of HA, sustained drug release, and swelling behaviour of the skin layer can be obtained by X-linked HA MN.

Keywords:

• Hyaluronic acid
• cross-linked particulates
• micromolding
• microneedle
• control of degradation
• swelling

Disclosure statement

Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Industrial Strategic Technology Development Program (10067809, development of vaccine formulation and patient-convenient vaccine microneedle) funded By the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE, Korea) and Gyeonggi Technology Development Program (D141408) funded by Gyeonggi Province.