Nanocarrier-Enabled Dissolving Microneedles for Tailored Transdermal Delivery of Diclofenac
Octavio Fandiño – Research Fellow, Queen's University Belfast; Marta G. Fuster – Research Fellow, Queen's University Belfast; Alejandro Paredes – Lecturer, Queen's University Belfast; Eneko Larrañeta – Lecturer, Queen's University Belfast; Ryan Donnelly – Professor, Queen's University Belfast
Research Fellow Queen's University Belfast Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Introduction: Dissolving microneedles (DMNs) are a promising platform for transdermal delivery of potent drugs, while nanotechnology has been explored to modulate payload release and permeation.1 However, the type of nanocarrier and the architecture choice introduce formulation challenges related to drug loading, microneedle composition, and dose uniformity, resulting in distinct release behaviors. This study systematically compared nano-enabled DMNs loaded with diclofenac, a model drug, to elucidate how nanocarrier influences microneedle performance and delivery (transdermal and intradermal).
Learning Objectives:
Understand the impact of nanocarrier choice on dissolving microneedle performance
Examine how nanocarrier-loaded microneedles modulate the drug distribution and localization within skin layers
Define the relationship between kinetic release, dermal retention and transport for understanding the use of NP
