abstract
Microneedles (MNs), i.e. minimally invasive three-dimensional microstructures that penetrate the stratum corneum inducing relatively little or no pain, have been studied as appealing therapeutic vehicles for transdermal drug delivery. Over the last years, the fabrication of MNs using biopolymers, such as polysaccharides and proteins, has sparked the imagination of scientists due to their recognized biocompatibility, biodegradability, ease of fabrication and sustainable character. Owing to their wide range of functional groups, polysaccharides and proteins enable the design and preparation of materials with tunable properties and functionalities. Therefore, these biopolymer-based MNs take a revolutionary step offering great potential not only in drug administration, but also in sensing and response to physiological stimuli. In this review, a critical and comprehensive overview of the polysaccharides and proteins employed in the design and engineering of MNs will be given. The strategies adopted for their preparation, their advantages and disadvantages will be also detailed. In addition, the potential and challenges of using these matrices to deliver drugs, vaccines and other molecules will be discussed. Finally, this appraisal ends with a perspective on the possibilities and challenges in research and development of polysaccharide and protein MNs, envisioning the future advances and clinical translation of these platforms as the next generation of drug delivery systems. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
keywords
TRANSDERMAL DRUG-DELIVERY; SILK FIBROIN MICRONEEDLES; BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER MICRONEEDLES; 2-LAYERED DISSOLVING MICRONEEDLES; HYALURONIC-ACID; CHITOSAN MICRONEEDLES; SKIN PENETRATION; MOLECULAR-WEIGHT; TRANSCUTANEOUS IMMUNIZATION; BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
subject category
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Polymer Science
authors
Fonseca, DFS; Vilela, C; Silvestre, AJD; Freire, CSR
our authors
Armando Jorge Domingues Silvestre
Full professor
Carla Vilela
Assistant Professor
Carmen Sofia da Rocha Freire Barros
Coordinating Researcher
Daniela Fonseca
PhD Studentacknowledgements
This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (UID/CTM/50011/2019), financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. The research contract of C. Vilela is funded by national funds (OE), through FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of the article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19. FCT is also acknowledged for the doctoral grant to D.F.S. Fonseca (PD/BD/115621/2016), and contract under Stimulus of Scientific Employment 2017 to C.S.R. Freire (CEECIND/00464/2017).