Enhanced Stability and Transdermal Delivery of Semaglutide Using an L-Arginine Based Dissolving Microneedle System
Priyanka Panchal1, Snehal Daware1, Yi Guo1
1College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. Albert Hall, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, New York, 11439, USA.
AAPS Pharmscitech
|July 2, 2026
Summary
This study developed dissolving microneedles (DMNs) for transdermal delivery of Semaglutide (SMG), enhancing peptide stability with L-arginine. The DMNs show promising mechanical strength and drug release for improved diabetes and obesity management.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists like Semaglutide (SMG) are effective for diabetes and obesity but face bioavailability and adherence issues.
- Injectable formulations limit patient compliance, necessitating alternative delivery methods.
- Transdermal delivery offers a patient-friendly approach to overcome these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize dissolving microneedle (DMN) arrays for transdermal Semaglutide (SMG) delivery.
- To investigate the role of L-arginine as an excipient for enhancing SMG stability within DMNs.
- To evaluate the mechanical properties, insertion capabilities, and drug release profile of the developed SMG-DMNs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of DMN arrays using a blend of hyaluronic acid, PETOX, and L-arginine.
- Characterization of SMG-loaded microneedles (SMG-DMNs) including mechanical strength testing and Parafilm M® insertion.
- Assessment of drug release kinetics over 12 hours.
- Ex-vivo porcine skin insertion studies, SEM, confocal microscopy, and agarose dissolution modeling.
- Fluorescence imaging to verify transdermal deposition and penetration.
Main Results:
- SMG-DMNs demonstrated robust mechanical strength (3.47 N/needle) and effective insertion (>50% at 450 μm depth).
- Drug release was sustained over a 12-hour period.
- Characterization confirmed optimized polymeric matrix for SMG delivery and effective transdermal penetration.
- L-arginine incorporation showed potential for enhancing peptide integrity and stability.
Conclusions:
- Dissolving microneedle technology offers a promising, patient-friendly alternative for transdermal peptide delivery.
- The developed SMG-DMNs address limitations of oral bioavailability and injection discomfort.
- Further research is needed to address peptide stability challenges for improved T2DM and obesity management outcomes.
More Related Videos
08:26Dissolving Microneedle Array Patches Manufactured By Solvent Casting Technique and Essential Characterization of Microneedle-Based Biomedical Devices
Published on: January 30, 2026
07:41Fabrication and Characterization of Microneedle Patches for Loading and Delivery of Exosomes
Published on: July 12, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:05Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
Improving a drug's stability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is paramount for enhancing its bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness. Various strategies are employed to protect the drug from the harsh gastric milieu and to ensure its release and absorption at the desired site within the GI tract.Polymer coatings are one such method used to shield drugs from the stomach's acidic environment. By preventing premature drug release, these coatings improve the bioavailability of unstable...
01:18Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems
Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) enable the controlled release of drugs across the skin into systemic circulation. They are particularly advantageous for drugs with short half-lives or narrow therapeutic indices, as they maintain consistent plasma concentrations and reduce the risk of subtherapeutic or toxic levels.TDDS are categorized into monolithic, reservoir, and mixed systems. Monolithic systems embed the drug in a polymer matrix, where diffusion governs release. Reservoir systems...
01:26Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems
Continuous-release drug delivery systems offer a strategic approach to maintaining therapeutic drug levels over extended periods following oral administration. By modulating the release rate of active pharmaceutical ingredients, these systems minimize fluctuations in plasma concentrations, which enhances clinical efficacy and reduces the need for frequent dosing. Such characteristics make them particularly advantageous in managing chronic diseases where patient adherence and stable drug...
01:27Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement
After oral administration, poor permeability often limits the rate at which drugs are absorbed through the intestinal epithelium. Enhancing drug permeability is crucial for effective therapy, and several strategies have been developed to overcome this challenge.One effective strategy involves the use of lipid-based formulations. These formulations enhance dissolution and solubility, targeting physiological mechanisms to increase drug absorption. This includes stimulating bile salt secretion,...
01:11Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Delayed-Release Systems
Delayed-release drug delivery systems are specialized pharmaceutical formulations designed to postpone the release of active compounds until the drug reaches a specific region of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, typically the intestine. These systems are essential for drugs that may cause gastric irritation, are unstable in acidic environments, or need to exert therapeutic effects locally in the intestinal or colonic regions.The core feature of delayed-release systems is the use of enteric...
01:21Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...