Biodegradable Gelatin Methacryloyl Microneedles for Transdermal Drug Delivery

Abstract

Biocompatible and bioresponsive microneedles (MNs) are emerging technology platforms for sustained drug release with a potential to be a key player in transdermal delivery of therapeutics. In this paper, an innovative biodegradable MNs patch for the sustained delivery of drugs using a polymer patch, which can adjust delivery rates based on its crosslinking degree, is reported. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is used as the base for engineering biodegradable MNs. The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) is loaded into GelMA MNs using the one molding step. The GelMA MNs can efficiently penetrate the stratum corneum layer of a mouse cadaver skin. Mechanical properties and drug release behavior of the GelMA MNs can be adjusted by tuning the degree of crosslinking. The efficacy of the DOX released from the GelMA MNs is tested and the anticancer efficacy of the released drugs against melanoma cell line A375 is demonstrated. Since GelMA is a versatile material in engineering tissue scaffolds, it is expected that the GelMA MNs can be used as a platform for the delivery of various therapeutics.

Gelatin Methacryloyl Microneedle Patches for Minimally Invasive Extraction of Skin Interstitial Fluid

“…The mechanical properties of the patches were measured by a low‐force mechanical testing system (5943 MicroTester, Instron, USA) according to the related work 29,42,58. Briefly, The patch was placed needle‐side up on a stainless‐steel plate and compressed with a load cell at a rate of 1 mm min −1 up to the maximum loading force of 50 N. Correlations between the applied force and deformation of the patch were recorded during the whole testing process.…”

“…Previously, we have demonstrated that gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is a suitable material for the fabrication of MNs as it has good biocompatibility and desirable drug delivery properties 29. The nature‐derived GelMA MN patch possesses good biocompatibility as a medical device for sourcing ISF in a convenient and minimally invasive manner.…”

Engineering Microneedles for Therapy and Diagnosis: A Survey

“…Dissolving MNs are mainly used in drug delivery [100]. They are usually fabricated with biodegradable polymer or sugar, which endows the MNs with bio-acceptability and good patient compliance [101,102]. The tips of MNs can detach from the substrate of MNs upon contact with skin interstitial fluid.…”

Local Delivery of Minocycline and Vorinostat Act Synergistically to Inhibit Recurrence of Gliomas

“…3B). GelMA had been reported to have a MMPs-responsive property (38). Thus, we evaluated the ability of the G/Mino + Vor hydrogel to release the encapsulated minocycline and vorinostat in response to MMPs in vitro (Fig.…”