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Effervescent-Assisted Dissolving Microneedle Array Patches for Localized Tetracycline Delivery: A Three-Layer Design
Sonthaya Chaiarwut1, Chasuda Choipang1, Pairayaphak Ngamplang1
1The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
ACS Omega
|February 23, 2026
Summary
This study introduces novel effervescent dissolving microneedle array patches for enhanced antimicrobial delivery. The innovative patches ensure rapid drug release and complete needle dissolution, improving treatment for superficial infections.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Antimicrobial Therapy
Background:
- Dissolving microneedle array patches (DMNAPs) show potential for minimally invasive antimicrobial therapy.
- Existing DMNAPs face challenges with rapid drug release and complete needle deposition.
- Need for improved drug delivery to superficial infected tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel three-layer DMNAP with an effervescent separation mechanism.
- To enhance the delivery of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) for superficial infections.
- To evaluate the performance, efficacy, and biocompatibility of the developed DMNAP system.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of DMNAPs using sequential casting: drug-loaded poly-(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) microneedles, an effervescent layer (sodium bicarbonate/tartaric acid), and a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) backing.
- Evaluation of mechanical properties, skin penetration efficiency (ex vivo porcine skin), and drug release kinetics (Korsmeyer-Peppas model).
- Assessment of antimicrobial efficacy against *Escherichia coli* and *Staphylococcus aureus*, and biocompatibility using human dermal fibroblasts.
Main Results:
- Optimized formulation achieved high penetration efficiency (96%) and appropriate insertion force.
- Effervescent mechanism ensured complete needle detachment within 60 s via CO2 release.
- Rapid TCH release (>90% in 24 h) and potent *in vitro* and *ex vivo* antimicrobial activity against target bacteria.
- Formulations demonstrated excellent biocompatibility with human dermal fibroblasts (>82% viability).
Conclusions:
- The effervescent-assisted DMNAP platform effectively overcomes limitations of conventional microneedle technologies.
- This system offers a promising approach for painless, self-administrable antimicrobial therapy for superficial infections.
- Potential for treating antibiotic-resistant infections with minimized systemic exposure.
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