Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Microneedles directly penetrating into the cornea inevitably cause pain, corneal structure damage, and reduced light transmittance. In this work, a minimally invasive annular microneedle (A-MN) patch was developed avoiding direct puncture into the central cornea for ophthalmic drug delivery. The feasible mechanical strength of A-MNs was achieved by adjusting the ratio of PVP-β-CD and PVA to puncture the cornea barrier. Through effective diffusion to corneal stroma, bioavailability of hydrophilic small-molecule drugs, hydrophobic drugs, and macromolecular protein drugs through an A-MN patch was 24.36, 17.47, and 5.36 times higher than that of free drug administration. A-MNs effectively maintained light transmittance of the cornea with a light transmittance of 96.33 to 100%, which was higher than that of S-MNs. Furthermore, A-MNs effectively avoided corneal tissue and nerve damage along with the pain. The efficiency and safety of A-MNs were also examined through both an in vitro cell experiment and an in vivo animal experimental model, which showed great potential in clinical application.
Source: Science Advances
Authors: Lu Wang, Yishun Guo, Ben Chen, Si Lu, Jianhua Yang, Yingying Jin, Xinyi Wang, Xinyue Sun, Shuting Wang, Bailiang Wang
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmaceutical Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Award: G2266463462
OpenAlex ID: W4408235832