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Efficient Loading and Sustained Delivery of Methotrexate Using a Tip-Swellable Microneedle Array Patch for Psoriasis
Puxuan Zhao1,2, Zhiming Li2, Zhixin Ling2
1College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Zhejiang, Hangzhou 310014, China.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|January 30, 2024
Summary
A novel microneedle patch delivers methotrexate effectively for psoriasis, improving skin retention and therapeutic outcomes compared to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dermatology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Methotrexate (MTX) is a key psoriasis treatment but faces limitations due to side effects and suboptimal delivery via subcutaneous injection or oral routes.
- Existing microneedle approaches for transdermal drug delivery encounter challenges like drug wastage, inaccurate dosing, and short drug residence times.
- Direct delivery of MTX to skin lesions via microneedles is a promising strategy to overcome these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a tip-swellable microneedle array patch (TSMAP) for enhanced loading and sustained delivery of methotrexate (MTX).
- To investigate the efficacy of TSMAP in improving MTX retention in skin and its therapeutic effect on psoriasis.
- To compare the performance of TSMAP with conventional MTX administration methods.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of TSMAP using photo-cross-linked methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) and biocompatible resin via micromolding.
- Optimization of MTX loading into TSMAP tips through controlled immersion and drying.
- Evaluation of TSMAP skin penetration, drug retention, and in vivo therapeutic efficacy in psoriasis-like mouse models.
Main Results:
- TSMAP demonstrated efficient MTX loading and sustained release, with tips detaching and embedding into skin tissue.
- MTX-loaded TSMAP significantly enhanced drug retention in the skin compared to subcutaneous injection and dissolvable microneedles.
- In vivo studies showed TSMAP-mediated MTX delivery substantially improved psoriasis symptom alleviation and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, outperforming other methods.
Conclusions:
- The tip-swellable microneedle array patch (TSMAP) offers an effective platform for sustained methotrexate delivery to the skin.
- TSMAP significantly enhances therapeutic outcomes for psoriasis treatment, surpassing conventional administration routes.
- TSMAP presents a promising, user-friendly alternative for treating various skin diseases requiring localized drug delivery.
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