A Comprehensive Review on Microneedles

Review Article

Abstract

In recent years, a paradigm-shifting transdermal delivery technology has garnered significant attention for its efficacy in facilitating the dispersion of therapeutic and cosmeceutical agents across diverse applications, encompassing vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and biomolecules targeting cutaneous afflictions. Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) stands out for its manifold advantages, primarily characterized by its capability to sustain protracted drug release, thereby achieving optimal blood concentrations. Regrettably, the formidable stratum corneum (SC), an effective natural barrier, constrains TDD to specific drug types possessing requisite properties. To surmount this impediment and augment transdermal drug delivery, the innovative application of microneedles has been propounded. Microneedles, comprising micron-scale needles, offer a minimally invasive means to traverse the subcutaneous barrier, enabling the painless administration of a diverse spectrum of low molecular weight drugs, biotherapeutics, and vaccines. Notably, hollow microneedles find widespread clinical utilization for Influenza vaccination, while solid microneedle products have gained traction in cosmetic applications. Beyond dermatological contexts, microneedles have demonstrated adaptability for the delivery of bioactive substances not only into the skin but also into the ocular region and cellular environments. This comprehensive review provides a brief of this transformative technology at the intersection of biomedical science and transdermal therapeutics