Transdermal microneedle patch for antioxidants release

Polymer based microneedle transdermal drug delivery system fits the criterion for an efficient patient compliant drug delivery system of the future. Smart and controlled microneedle drug delivery systems remain an emerging research area. One of the objectives of this study was to design an accessible approach of molding microneedles using a beeswax mold. The second objective was to evaluate a polymer-based microneedle drug release transdermal platform fabricated via layer by layer (LbL) assembly of conductive polydimethylsiloxane integrated with carbon nanotubes, cellulose nanocrystal and polyaniline (PDMS@CNT/CNC@PANI). The electrically conductive PDMS@CNT/CNC@PANI microneedle patch provides a platform for drug loading, stabilization and transdermal controlled drug release. The drug loaded PDMS@CNT/CNC@PANI microneedle patch was evaluated for diffusion and voltage mediated transdermal delivery of thymol blue and rutin as model compounds. Chicken skin was used as an analogue of human skin. Both electrochemical and passive release from the rutin loaded PDMS@CNC/CNT microneedle patch resulted in ~ 66%. On the other hand, the PDMS@CNC/CNT@PANI patch loaded with rutin resulted in 66-84% release. The results show the novel microneedle patches could effectively release rutin in a controlled manner, and as such showed promise for potential use in clinical drug release applications.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43939-025-00240-8.