Tiny biodegradable stars enhance drug delivery to the skin
Microneedle-coated polymer particles rubbed onto the skin increase the delivery of medication by up to 37-fold The post Tiny biodegradable stars enhance drug delivery to the skin appeared first on Physics World .
Tiny biodegradable particles, known as STAR particles, have been developed by a team at Georgia Tech to enhance drug delivery to the skin. This innovation addresses the limitations of current topically applied drugs, which are restricted by the stratum corneum, the skin's outer layer that acts as a barrier and can hinder the effectiveness of most drugs.
The Georgia Tech researchers, led by Mark Prausnitz, created STAR particles using three polymers: water-soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), enzyme-degradable cellulose acetate (CA), and hydrolysable polylactic acid (PLA). These biodegradable particles are designed to painlessly puncture the skin, allowing for targeted drug delivery to the affected area.
Traditionally, many dermatology drugs have been administered orally or through injection, exposing the entire body to the medication and often causing side effects. The STAR particles offer a more precise and localized approach, potentially reducing side effects and increasing drug efficacy.
In their study, the researchers tested the STAR particles' ability to puncture pig skin samples using different formulations. While PVA STAR particles cannot be applied using water-based vehicles, they performed well when suspended in non-aqueous formulations such as isopropyl palmitate. Similarly, CA and PLA STAR particles demonstrated consistent skin-puncturing ability in water formulations, even after a week of storage.
To demonstrate the potential of the STAR particles in drug delivery, the team tested three drugs – tacrolimus, methotrexate, and copper tripeptide-1 – on pig skin samples. They found that the polymer STAR particles significantly enhanced the delivery of these drugs into the skin, increasing their intradermal levels by several fold compared to control samples.
The researchers also considered potential safety and environmental concerns. While any potential risks are likely small due to the forceful application required for the STAR particles to be effective, the water-soluble PVA particles rapidly dissolve upon contact with wet tissues, eliminating any risk. Additionally, the biodegradable CA and PLA particles become weak and blunt after enzymatic degradation or hydrolysis, further reducing environmental impact.
The STAR particle technology has been licensed to a company for a clinical trial, using the particles to deliver siRNA as a novel treatment for eczema. The Georgia Tech team aims to continue advancing the materials, manufacturing, and formulations for the next generation of STAR particles, primarily targeting dermatological diseases that can affect large areas of skin and cosmetic applications.
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