Effect of microneedle treatment on the skin permeation of a nanoencapsulated dye.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of microneedle (MN) pretreatment on the transdermal delivery of a model drug (Rhodamine B, Rh B) encapsulated in polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) focusing on the MN characteristics and application variables.


METHODS
Gantrez MNs were fabricated using laser-engineered silicone micro-mould templates. PLGA NPs were prepared using a modified emulsion-diffusion-evaporation method and characterised in vitro. Permeation of encapsulated Rh B through MN-treated full thickness porcine skin was performed using Franz diffusion cells with appropriate controls.


RESULTS
In-vitro skin permeation of the nanoencapsulated Rh B (6.19 ± 0.77 µg/cm²/h) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with the free solution (1.66 ± 0.53 µg/cm²/h). Mechanistic insights were supportive of preferential and rapid deposition of NPs in the MN-created microconduits, resulting in accelerated dye permeation. Variables such as MN array configuration and application mode were shown to affect transdermal delivery of the nanoencapsulated dye.


CONCLUSIONS
This dual MN/NP-mediated approach offers potential for both the dermal and transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents with poor passive diffusion characteristics.
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
Yasmine A
YA
Gomaa
Labiba K
LK
El-Khordagui
Martin J
MJ
Garland
Ryan F
RF
Donnelly
Fiona
F
McInnes
Victor M
VM
Meidan
D000818:Animals; D004058:Diffusion; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004655:Emulsions; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008298:Maleates / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles; D009339:Needles; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013552:Swine
D004337:Drug Carriers; D004655:Emulsions; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008298:Maleates; D011145:Polyvinyls; D012235:Rhodamines; C058026:polyvinylmethoxyethylene-maleic anhydride copolymer; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C029773:rhodamine B