Fabrication and characterization of innovative chitosan/doxorubicin coated3Dprinted microneedle patch for prolonged drug delivery

Abstract

In this study, microneedles (MNs) were successfully fabricated using the 3D printing method, which provides ease of production and reproduction in the desired size. Chi/Dox MNs drug delivery systems containing doxorubicin (Dox) were successfully produced in the presence of glutaraldehyde, which was coated with chitosan (Chi) and used as a crosslinker to prolong the drug release of the produced MNs. The obtained Chi/Dox MNs drug distribution systems were characterized by SEM, FTIR, zeta, contact angle, surface energy, compression test, and drug release tests. With the SEM analyzes performed before and after coating, it was observed that the MNs were in micro dimensions, and the diameters of the MNs tips before and after coating were 41.22 μm and 54.58 μm, respectively. After the compression test, it was analyzed that each MNs could withstand a force of about 76 N. The zeta potentials of Chi and Dox solutions were measured as 8.8 and 21.5 mV, respectively. FTIR, zeta potential, contact angle, and surface energy results confirm the Dox coating and their interactions. It has been observed that Chi/Dox MNs has successfully extended drug release time without drug-burst, and their use in skin cancer treatment is promising.

Numerical study of doxorubicin transdermal delivery for breast cancer treatment using microneedles

“…In this axisymmetric 2D configuration, the equations for MN‐transdermal delivery of Doxo are solved in six different domains. In the baseline study, the thickness of the coating, first domain, was considered constant: 12.5 μm 17 . Realistic thicknesses for the different skin layers were presented in this model 18 .…”

“…In the baseline study, the thickness of the coating, first domain, was considered constant: 12.5 μm. 17 Realistic thicknesses for the different skin layers were presented in this model. 18 The thickness for the stratum corneum SC (domain 2) is 20 μm.…”

“…Drug transport in the coating Assuming that the coating solution was prepared by diluting Doxo powder in DI water, then MNs are deeply merged in the solution to be coated. 17 So, in the coating there is just Doxo molecules and water. The governing equation in this domain is:…”