Biphasic dissolving microneedles with cyclodextrin inclusion complexes for enhanced delivery of poorly soluble drugs.

ABSTRACT: Dissolving microneedles (DMNs) have been widely investigated for transdermal drug delivery, yet their clinical translation and commercialization remain limited, primarily due to insufficient drug-loading capacity. To address this challenge, we developed a high capacity platform by integrating hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) inclusion technology with a biphasic microneedle design for the delivery of flurbiprofen (FB), a model poorly soluble drug. Comprehensive characterization evaluated the morphology, mechanical strength, and ex vivo studies of FB/HP-β-CD DMNs, while in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats compared their performance with a commercial flurbiprofen gel patch under single- and multiple-dose regimens. The fabricated microneedles exhibited sufficient mechan

SUBMITTER: Wang R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12893894 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature