Microneedle-assisted transdermal delivery of amlodipine besylate loaded nanoparticles

Transdermal drug delivery has been developed to increase drug bioavailability and improve patient compliance. The current study was carried out to formulate and evaluate a transdermal delivery system loaded with biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles for sustained delivery of amlodipine besylate (AMB). For this purpose, AMB was incorporated into CS nanoparticles that were prepared via the ionic gelation method. Three formulations containing different blends of CS and tripolyphosphate were investigated for the preparation of the nanoparticles and evaluated for particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), loading capacity (LC), encapsulation efficiency (EE), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and drug release kinetics. The smallest observed particle size was 321.14 ± 7.21 nm (NP-3). Across all formulations, the highest observed EE% was 87.2 ± 0.12% (NP-2), and the highest observed LC% was 60.98 ± 0.08% (NP-2). Microneedles were formed by using 15% polyvinylalcohol (PVA) (F1), 15% PVA with 1% propylene glycol (PG) (F2), and 15% PVA with 5% PG (F3). On investigating drug release rates, it was observed that drug permeation and steady-state flux (Jss) both increased proportionally with increasing PG concentration. Nanomedicine, when combined with physical techniques, has opened new opportunities for the growth and development of transdermal delivery systems in the pharmaceutical industry. In conclusion, biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles loaded in hydrogel microneedles served as a potential system for the transdermal delivery of AMB in a controlled manner.