Silk Fibroin-Based Hydrogel Microneedles Deliver α-MSH to Promote Melanosome Delivery for Vitiligo Treatment

Abstract

Microneedles have shown great advantages in subcutaneous drug delivery and skin disease treatment. Vitiligo is a difficult-tocure skin disease characterized by the depigmentation of the epidermis. Melanosomes produced in melanocytes are transported through dendrites to adjacent keratinocytes, where they accumulate, resulting in skin pigmentation. However, melanocytes in vitiligo patients are functionally disrupted. Silk fibroin (SF) methacrylate hydrogel microneedle can deliver α-MSH to the epidermis directly, where α-MSH helps the protection of melanocytes, extension of melanocytic dendrites, and transfer of melanosomes. In addition, the expression of melanogenesis-related melanocyte-inducing transcription factor and tyrosinaserelated protein 1 (TRP1) was up-regulated, and the number of hair follicle stem cells increased with good proliferative activity. This slow release α-MSH SF-based hydrogel microneedles provides a new idea for the treatment of vitiligo.

Nanocarrier-Integrated Microneedles: Divulging the Potential of Novel Frontiers for Fostering the Management of Skin Ailments

“…The MNs offer several benefits, such as enhanced bioavailability, improved efficacy, patient compliance, and painless administration . In recent years, the various types of MNs, including hydrogel-based, hollow, coated, dissolving, solid, and swellable MNs, have progressed for TDD of the therapeutics. After the MN patch is pricked within the skin, drug molecules penetrate the skin, diffuse through the MNs, and conclusively reach the systemic circulation.…”