Dissolving Microneedles in Therapeutics: A Smart Approach to Minimally Invasive Drug Delivery

Abstract

 Current developments in the field of transdermal drug delivery have placed the dissolving microneedles (DMNs) technology on the path to changing the landscape of taking medicine as an aspect of painless, self-administered, physio-minimally invasive, and contrasted to normal subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. In this review, the DMN systems evolution is followed, and the formation of these systems as drug carriers to multifunctional platforms that can be used in various types of diseases has been outlined. The importance of fabricating DMNs through techniques (micromolding, droplet-born air blowing, and drawing lithography) is discussed in detail considering attaining structural integrity and fast dissolution. The incorporation of biocompatible materials as polymers, e.g., hyaluronic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and chitosan (CS), is considered in terms of maximizing the mechanical strength aspects, rate of dissolution. Skin penetration efficiency, bioavailability of the drug, and stability in the physiological environment are covered by performance testing. Although DMNs hold great potential for clinical benefits such as increased patient compliance and decreased risk of infection, there are still concerns about large-scale production and formulation standardization and regulatory acceptance. These are the obstacles that have to be considered in the process of successful translation of DMNs into routine work.

KEYWORDS

Dissolving microneedle, transdermal drug delivery, biodegradable polymers, Minimally invasive systems, controlled drug release.