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Rapidly dissolving and detachable microneedles loaded with antimicrobial peptides for acne vulgaris treatment
Han Zheng1,2, Nian Liu1, Tian Zhou1
1State Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (LoFE), Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) & Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China. iampli@nwpu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Acne vulgaris is predominantly caused by Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) infection and has a serious impact on the physical and mental health of patients. Conventional treatments like topical and oral drug administrations have their limitations and adverse effects. Microneedles (MNs) are a painless and precise drug delivery system, providing an opportunity to enhance the efficacy of acne treatment. In this work, we construct a rapidly dissolving and detachable hyaluronic acid (HA)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) MN loaded with an antimicrobial peptide, ε-poly-L-lysine (EPL). This EPL@MN patch has a compact structure and sufficient mechanical strength to penetrate the skin's stratum corneum. Moreover, the HA tips and PVA substrate of EPL@MN present distinct degradation behaviors. The HA tips exhibit full dissolution within 90 s, ensuring the precise and rapid release of preloaded EPL. The PVA substrate is detachable after the tips release the drug. This EPL@MN patch exhibits excellent antibacterial activity against P. acnes with over 99% killing rate, while exerting minimal impact on the cell viability and proliferation of L929 mouse fibroblasts. In vivo mice acne model studies demonstrate that the EPL@MN patch can effectively inhibit P. acnes and significantly reduce skin swelling by alleviating the levels of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and CCR-7). Taken together, this rapidly dissolving and detachable microneedle holds promise as a targeted drug delivery system for enhancing acne therapy.
Insights
This study developed rapidly dissolving microneedles loaded with an antimicrobial peptide for acne treatment. The novel microneedle system effectively kills Propionibacterium acnes and reduces skin inflammation in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dermatology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Acne vulgaris, primarily caused by Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), significantly impacts patient well-being.
- Conventional acne treatments have limitations and adverse effects.
- Microneedles (MNs) offer a promising approach for enhanced, targeted acne therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapidly dissolving and detachable microneedle (MN) system for acne treatment.
- To load an antimicrobial peptide, ε-poly-L-lysine (EPL), into hyaluronic acid (HA)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) MNs.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the EPL-loaded MNs against P. acnes and skin inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of rapidly dissolving and detachable HA-PVA MNs loaded with EPL.
- Assessment of MN structure, mechanical strength, and degradation behavior.
- In vitro evaluation of antibacterial activity against P. acnes and cytotoxicity on L929 fibroblasts.
- In vivo studies using a mice acne model to assess anti-acne and anti-inflammatory effects.
Main Results:
- The EPL@MN patch demonstrated rapid dissolution of HA tips within 90 seconds for precise EPL release.
- Over 99% killing rate of P. acnes was achieved with minimal impact on fibroblast viability.
- In vivo studies showed effective inhibition of P. acnes and significant reduction in skin swelling and inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, CCR-7).
Conclusions:
- The developed rapidly dissolving and detachable EPL@MN patch is a safe and effective system for acne treatment.
- This microneedle technology shows potential for targeted delivery of antimicrobial peptides to combat P. acnes.
- The EPL@MN patch offers a promising alternative to conventional acne therapies, improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
