Microneedles in Transdermal Drug Delivery: A Comprehensive Review
Abstract
Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) present a non-invasive and patient-compliant alternative to conventional routes of administration by facilitating drug transport across the skin barrier. Upon topical application to intact skin, the drug permeates the stratum corneum, diffuses through the underlying epidermal and dermal layers, and subsequently reaches systemic circulation via capillary networks. This approach enables controlled and sustained drug release, enhances bioavailability, and circumvents the limitations associated with oral and parenteral delivery, including first-pass metabolism and injection-associated discomfort. The human skin, comprising the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, poses a formidable barrier, particularly at the stratum corneum, necessitating the use of advanced penetration enhancement techniques. Among these, microneedle-based technologies have emerged as a promising strategy, offering transient and minimally invasive disruption of the skin barrier. Fabricated from biocompatible materials such as silicon, metals, polymers, ceramics, or sugars, microneedles exist in various designs-including solid, coated, dissolvable, and hydrogel-forming types-each tailored for specific drug release profiles. These systems hold potential not only for therapeutic drug delivery but also for diagnostics and cosmetic applications. Regulatory oversight by agencies like the FDA classifies microneedle-based systems as combination products, requiring comprehensive evaluation including sterility, stability, safety, and performance testing. The development of harmonized regulatory frameworks could further facilitate their clinical translation and market integration.
Keywords: Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS), Microelectronics and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), White adipose tissue (WAT), Microneedle technology, Polymers
Keywords:
Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS), Microelectronics and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), White adipose tissue (WAT), Microneedle technology, PolymersDOI
https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v15i6.7184References
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