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Hollow Microneedle-based Sensor for Multiplexed Transdermal Electrochemical Sensing
Published on: June 1, 2012
Processing difficulties and instability of carbohydrate microneedle arrays
Ryan F Donnelly1, Desmond I J Morrow, Thakur R R Singh
1Medical Biology Centre, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK. r.donnelly@qub.ac.uk
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy
|June 27, 2009
Summary
Carbohydrate microneedle (MN) arrays for transdermal drug delivery face significant processing and stability challenges. These issues, including drug loss and poor release, likely prevent clinical application of galactose-based MNs.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Microneedle (MN) arrays offer potential for transdermal drug delivery.
- Carbohydrate-based MNs are proposed to overcome existing challenges.
- This study investigates galactose-based MNs for clinical transdermal drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the processing, handling, and storage of galactose-based MN arrays.
- To assess drug loading, release, and skin penetration of galactose MNs.
- To determine the clinical feasibility of carbohydrate MNs for drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of drug-loaded MN arrays using hot melt molding of galactose.
- Incorporation of model drugs: 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and bovine serum albumin.
- Evaluation of processing parameters, drug loss, MN stability, drug release kinetics, and skin penetration.
Main Results:
- Galactose required high processing temperatures (160°C) and was difficult to handle.
- Substantial drug losses (ALA, BSA) occurred during processing.
- Limited drug release (<0.05% ALA) and poor skin penetration were observed; galactose MNs were unstable.
- Dissolved galactose blocked MN-induced pores, hindering drug delivery.
Conclusions:
- Processing difficulties and instability of galactose MNs preclude clinical application.
- Carbohydrate-based dissolving MNs present significant formulation and stability challenges.
- Alternative approaches are recommended for developing transdermal drug delivery systems using dissolving MNs.
