Tiger Tongue-Inspired Bionic Microneedle Patch With Dual Mechanical-Pharmacological Functions for Enhanced Wound...

Effective skin wound healing requires reliable fixation and infection prevention. Inspired by the inclined papillary structure of the tiger's tongue, we developed a biomimetic microneedle patch that integrates mechanical stability with antibacterial function. The patch was fabricated via thermal pressing of polylactic acid (PLA) microneedles followed by localized drug loading at the microneedle tips. Its design includes a clamping structure, a dual-array of inclined drug-releasing PLA microneedles, a nonwoven fabric base, and a flexible adhesive layer. In vitro tests demonstrated a penetration force of 0.25 N, enhanced fixation through biomimetic interlocking, and controlled drug release for antibacterial effects. In vivo studies using a male Wistar rat model showed that the patch secured wounds, reduced inflammation, and promoted collagen deposition. These results demonstrate that this drug-loaded biomimetic microneedle patch promotes the healing of full-thickness skin wounds and exhibits superior efficacy compared to drug-free biomimetic microneedle treatments. This study advances wound care by combining biomechanical and pharmacological strategies. Future work will optimize biocompatibility and explore clinical applications.