Boosting Medicine Delivery: Mixing Microneedles with Biodegradable Particles

Scientists sought to improve the way medicine, like methotrexate, passes through human skin. They used tiny needles called Dr. Pen microneedles and tiny, biodegradable beads called poly(d, l-lactide-co-glycolide) acid microparticles. These beads came in eight different forms. The team studied the beads closely, looking at their size, charge, shape, and how well they held and released the medicine. They proved that the microneedles made tiny holes in the skin, reducing its electrical resistance and making it easier for water to escape. By testing on human skin, they found that the microneedles boosted the delivery of medicine into the skin. Different polymer groups showed varying results in drug delivery. The microneedles significantly increased how much medicine got through, how fast it traveled, and how much was stored in the skin layers. They also found a strong link between the beads' properties and how well the medicine stayed in the skin. In conclusion, using both microneedles and these biodegradable beads helped deliver the medicine more effectively and consistently.