Microneedles: a potential strategy in transdermal delivery and application in the management of psoriasis

The skin is an absorptive organ, targeted in the transdermal delivery system. The microneedle method is an updated approach to deliver compounds through the skin in an efficient way. A microneedle patch is composed of dozens to hundreds of micron-sized needles with various structures and advantages benefiting from their special and smart designs. The microneedles method is much more superior to those traditional transdermal delivery ways because of advantages such as minimally invasive, painless, convenience, and improved patient compliance. Up to now, the microneedles field has developed rapidly and is divided into four major types by researchers: solid microneedles (SMNs), hollow microneedles (HMNs), dissolving microneedles (DMNs), and coated microneedles (CMNs). Every type of these microneedles has different advantages according to their unique properties and designs. Psoriasis is a polygenic chronic dermatological disease with no cure, and the treatment is based on symptom control. The traditional therapeutic method is diverse, embracing topical drugs, systemic drugs, physical therapy, etc. With the limitation of present drug delivery, the demand for new delivery methods for psoriasis is in the spotlight. Thus, this review paper aims to provide a comprehensive statement about the microneedles, the progress of the microneedle application in the management of psoriasis and the clinical challenges.