Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2025
07:41
Author Spotlight: Innovative Microneedle-Based Strategies for Enhanced Exosome Delivery and Stability
Published on: July 12, 2024
2.4K
Biphasic burst and sustained transdermal delivery in vivo using an AI-optimized 3D-printed MN patch
Arvind Bagde1, Satyanarayan Dev2, Lalitha Madhavi K Sriram3
1College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|February 8, 2023
Summary
This study developed dissolvable microneedle (MN) patches using digital light processing (DLP) printing and artificial intelligence (AI) for enhanced lipophilic drug delivery. The AI-optimized patches showed sustained drug release and effective skin permeation in pharmacokinetic studies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Microneedle (MN) technology offers potential for transdermal drug delivery.
- Fabricating MNs for lipophilic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) presents challenges.
- Integrating advanced manufacturing and AI can optimize MN design and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate dissolvable microneedle (MN) patches for lipophilic API delivery using digital light processing (DLP) printing.
- To optimize MN fabrication using Quality by Design (QbD) principles and artificial intelligence (AI).
- To evaluate the drug release, skin permeation, and pharmacokinetic profile of the fabricated MNs.
Main Methods:
- Dissolvable MN patches loaded with ibuprofen (IBU) were fabricated using DLP printing technology.
- Quality by Design (QbD) was employed for formulation development and optimization.
- Artificial intelligence (AI), specifically semi-supervised machine learning, was used to optimize print fidelity and needle morphology.
- Mechanical strength, skin pore formation, in vitro skin permeation, and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats were conducted.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated IBU-loaded dissolvable MN patches with optimized dimensions using DLP printing.
- AI-driven optimization improved print fidelity and needle morphology.
- IBU MNs demonstrated mechanical strength, created pores in skin, and achieved sustained drug permeation (~2 mg/cm² at 72h).
- Pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed biphasic absorption with sustained release characteristics (Tmax ≈ 2.66h, Cmax ≈ 3717 ng/ml).
Conclusions:
- Dissolvable microneedle patches fabricated via DLP printing, optimized with QbD and AI, are effective for lipophilic API delivery.
- The developed MNs exhibit desirable mechanical properties, skin penetration capability, and sustained drug release profiles.
- This approach demonstrates a promising strategy for advanced transdermal drug delivery systems with predictable in vivo performance.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
429
Drug delivery methods like oral inhalation, nasal sprays, transdermal patches, eye drops, intravitreal injection, and rectal administration provide localized effects with reduced toxicity.
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
429
01:16Drug Delivery: Overview
346
The selection of a drug's delivery route depends upon its physicochemical properties, including lipid or water solubility and ionization, as well as the therapeutic requirement, such as immediate or sustained effect. These routes can be divided into three primary categories: enteral, parenteral, and topical.
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
346
01:29Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
701
The parenteral route is a critical method of drug administration. It delivers compounds directly into the systemic circulation and bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. This approach is particularly advantageous for drugs that exhibit poor absorption or instability when administered orally.
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
701
01:15Non-Oral Extravascular Drug Absorption Routes
260
Non-oral extravascular routes, which encompass sublingual, buccal, topical, intramuscular, and inhalation methods, primarily utilize passive diffusion to transport drugs into the systemic circulation. The absorption rates and effectiveness of these routes depend on the drug's physicochemical properties, as well as the patient's anatomical and pathophysiological state.
Lipophilic drugs that are stable at salivary pH (6) and exhibit minimal binding to the oral mucosa are absorbed more...
Lipophilic drugs that are stable at salivary pH (6) and exhibit minimal binding to the oral mucosa are absorbed more...
260
01:25Routes of Drug Administration: Parenteral
2.0K
The administration of drugs via parenteral routes allows for direct drug introduction into the systemic circulation, resulting in high bioavailability because the medication bypasses the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatic metabolism.
The intravenous route (IV) of drug administration can be further categorized into two types. The bolus injection administers the entire dose rapidly, while an intravenous infusion slowly delivers smaller doses steadily.
The IV route is often...
The intravenous route (IV) of drug administration can be further categorized into two types. The bolus injection administers the entire dose rapidly, while an intravenous infusion slowly delivers smaller doses steadily.
The IV route is often...
2.0K