Fabrication, characterization and application of sugar microneedles for transdermal drug delivery

Aim: This study aimed to fabricate, characterize and use maltose microneedles for transdermal delivery of doxorubicin.

Materials & methods: Microneedles were fabricated by micromolding technique and evaluated for dimensions, mechanical properties and in situ dissolution. Microporation of human cadaver skin was confirmed by dye binding, histology, pore uniformity, confocal laser microscopy and skin integrity measurement. In vitro permeation studies were performed on vertical Franz diffusion cells.

Results: Maltose microneedles were sharp, mechanically uniform and rapidly dissolvable. Microneedle insertion resulted in a marked decrease in lag time and a significant increase in the permeation across and into human skin (p < 0.05). The skin delivery profile was used to predict the steady-state plasma concentration.

Conclusion: Maltose microneedles are a promising physical technique to increase skin delivery.