Resveratrol nanocrystals-based dissolving microneedles for rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic destructive inflammatory synovitis that is associated with a wide range of clinical consequences, including comorbidities affecting systemic bone, vasculature, metabolic function, and cognition. Although Resveratrol (Res) has been shown to have pharmacological benefits in the treatment of RA, its limited bioavailability and poor water solubility have prevented clinical usage of this substance. Therefore, changing the crystalline form of Res to boost its solubility and bioavailability can thus significantly improve its therapeutic effect for RA. Based on this, in this study, the crystalline form of Res was milled into nanocrystals by media milling and loaded into soluble microneedles (MNs) prepared from high molecular weight hyaluronic acid by vacuum casting for the treatment of RA. This study addressed the shortcomings of poor water solubility and low bioavailability of Res, and meanwhile, the transdermal drug delivery system mediated by soluble MNs improved patient compliance and extended the duration of drug action in vivo, which provided a novel research idea for the treatment of RA.