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Updated: Jul 30, 2025
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Fabrication of Pulsatile Polymeric Microparticles Encapsulating Rabies Antigen
Published on: May 12, 2023
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Improved Transdermal Delivery of Rabies Vaccine using Iontophoresis Coupled Microneedle Approach
Muhammad Sohail Arshad1, Saad Hussain1, Saman Zafar1
1Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
Pharmaceutical Research
|May 15, 2023
Summary
This study developed rabies vaccine microneedle (MN) patches, finding that combining them with iontophoresis significantly boosted immune responses in dogs. This novel approach offers a potent alternative to traditional intramuscular rabies vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Vaccinology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Conventional intramuscular injection for rabies vaccination can be invasive and may elicit variable immune responses.
- Microneedle (MN) technology offers a potential alternative for transdermal drug and vaccine delivery.
- Iontophoresis can enhance transdermal drug permeation, potentially improving vaccine efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop microneedle (MN) patches incorporating a rabies vaccine.
- To evaluate the immunogenicity of these MN vaccine formulations.
- To assess the combined effect of MN patches and iontophoresis on vaccine immunogenicity.
Main Methods:
- Rabies vaccine was incorporated into microneedle patches fabricated using polyvinyl pyrrolidone, hyaluronic acid, and polyethylene glycol 400 via vacuum micromolding.
- Patches underwent physical characterization (folding endurance, swelling, morphology) and in vitro release/insertion studies using model drugs and skin simulants.
- In vivo studies in rats assessed skin insertion, while immunogenicity in dogs was determined by measuring immunoglobulin G (IgG) and rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (RVNA) titers.
Main Results:
- Fabricated MN patches exhibited desirable physical properties and successfully penetrated skin simulants and rat epidermis without deep tissue damage.
- The combination of MN patches with iontophoresis (MNdi) demonstrated enhanced drug release compared to MN alone (MNdo).
- Dogs treated with vaccine-laden MN patches, especially with iontophoresis (MNvi), showed significantly increased IgG titers (~206%) and RVNA titers (~2.2 times the threshold) compared to MNvo and controls.
Conclusions:
- The MN-iontophoresis combination effectively delivered the rabies vaccine transcutaneously.
- This combined approach elicited a more potent immunogenic response compared to conventional intramuscular injection.
- Transdermal delivery using MN-iontophoresis represents a promising strategy for rabies vaccine administration.
