Noninvasive and Precise Transdermal Drug Delivery Using Spatiotemporally Responsive Lipid Vesicles in Conjunction...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Pharmaceutics
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) faces challenges due to skin's complex anatomy and barriers, hindering precise multi-drug administration.
• Achieving targeted delivery of multiple drugs to specific skin layers for optimal therapeutic outcomes remains a significant hurdle in TDD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a noninvasive strategy for precise transdermal drug delivery using spatiotemporally responsive lipid vesicles and ultrasound.
• To investigate the control over drug delivery sequence, penetration depth, and targeted skin layers for multiple drugs with similar molecular weights.

Main Methods:

• Utilized microfluidic technology to prepare lipid vesicles with varying particle sizes, loading capacities, and ultrasound responsiveness.
• Employed ultrasound (360 kHz, 1 W) to trigger and control the release and spatial distribution of drugs from distinct vesicle types.
• Conducted in vitro and in vivo studies to elucidate the mechanisms of precise drug delivery regulation.

Main Results:

• Distinct vesicle types demonstrated varied spatial distribution and ultrasound-triggered rupture times based on their mass and responsiveness.
• The combined approach of responsive vesicles and ultrasound enabled precise control over drug delivery sequence and penetration depth.
• In a hamster oral mucositis model, this strategy significantly accelerated wound healing, achieving a 91.42% closure rate.

Conclusions:

• Spatiotemporally responsive lipid vesicles combined with ultrasound offer a promising noninvasive method for precise transdermal delivery of multiple drugs.
• This technology allows for controlled release kinetics, targeted penetration, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy, as demonstrated by accelerated wound healing.