A Novel Methacryloyl Chitosan Hydrogel Microneedles Patch with Sustainable Drug Release Property for Effective Treatment of Psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent skin disease that often requires long‐term treatment, and topical transdermal drug delivery can reduce systemic side effects. However, it is still a challenge in efficient transdermal drug delivery for psoriasis treatment due to low penetration efficiency of most drugs and the abnormal skin conditions of psoriasis patients. Here, a safe and effective methacryloyl chitosan hydrogel microneedles (CSMA hMNs) patch is developed and served as a sustained drug release platform for the treatment of psoriasis. By systematically optimizing the CSMA preparation, CSMA hMNs with excellent morphological characteristics and strong mechanical properties (0.7 N needle−1) are prepared with a concentration of only 3% (w/v) CSMA. As a proof‐of‐concept, methotrexate (MTX) and nicotinamide (NIC) are loaded into CSMA hMNs patch, which can produce a sustained drug release of 80% within 24 h in vitro. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the CSMA hMNs patch can effectively inhibit the skin thickening and spleen enlargement of psoriatic mice and has a good biosafety profile at sufficient therapeutic doses. This study provides a new idea for the preparation of hMN systems using modified CS or other biocompatible materials and offers an effective therapeutic option for psoriasis treatment.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Antioxidative, Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial, Photo-Cross-Linkable Hydrogel of Gallic Acid–Chitosan Methacrylate: Synthesis, In Vitro, and In Vivo Assessments

“…Then, 1 M NaOH solution was added to the above solution, and the pH of the system was gradually increased to measure the absorbance at 400 nm. 7 2.4. Antioxidative Properties of GA−CS−MA.…”

Efficient Loading and Sustained Delivery of Methotrexate Using a Tip-Swellable Microneedle Array Patch for Psoriasis Treatment

“…To extend the release duration of drugs, hydrogel-based MNs have been widely utilized because of the insolubility of the needles, which would be beneficial for treating chronic diseases. − For example, a recent study by Dai et al reported methacryloyl chitosan hydrogel MNs capable of achieving sustainable release of MTX, leading to improved therapeutic efficacy . Typically, drugs are loaded into these hydrogel MNs by mixing them directly with the hydrogel materials before fabricating them into drug-loaded hydrogel MNs. − However, this preloading method is complex, is time-consuming, and often requires harsh cross-linking conditions, which lead to drug wastage and loss of activity.…”

“…To extend the release duration of drugs, hydrogel-based MNs have been widely utilized because of the insolubility of the needles, which would be beneficial for treating chronic diseases. − For example, a recent study by Dai et al reported methacryloyl chitosan hydrogel MNs capable of achieving sustainable release of MTX, leading to improved therapeutic efficacy . Typically, drugs are loaded into these hydrogel MNs by mixing them directly with the hydrogel materials before fabricating them into drug-loaded hydrogel MNs. − However, this preloading method is complex, is time-consuming, and often requires harsh cross-linking conditions, which lead to drug wastage and loss of activity. Additionally, the drugs are usually distributed throughout all of the entire MNs.…”

“…Additionally, the drugs are usually distributed throughout all of the entire MNs. Because of the skin’s elasticity, full insertion of the MNs into the skin is not always possible, potentially leading to drug wastage and imprecise dosage administration. ,− These challenges with variable and unreliable drug loading and delivery efficiency have significantly hindered the clinical application of hydrogel MNs.…”

Polymeric Microneedles Enhance Transdermal Delivery of Therapeutics

“…MTX was then released continuously and gradually from the particles for at least a week to provide desirable long-term therapeutic effects in psoriasis treatment [40]. Research conducted by Dai and colleagues presented methacryloyl chitosan hydrogel microneedles that could release MTX sustainably and improve therapeutic efficacy [41]. Zhao et al prepared tip-swellable dissolving microneedles to effectively carry and deliver MTX through the skin.…”