A Review on Polymeric Microneedles and their Applications in Transdermal Drug Delivery

Document Type : compile

Authors

1 Biomedical Engineering Group, Chemical Engineering faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran Iran

2 Tarbiat Modares University

10.22063/basparesh.2025.35542.1713

Abstract

Effective drug delivery with minimal invasion is one of the main advantages of microneedles, which have become very popular approach for transdermal drug delivery. Various types of minerals (silicone, ceramic, metal, etc.) and a large family of polymer materials are used to make microneedles. Compared to microneedles made from inorganic materials, polymeric microneedles offer several advantages, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and reasonable price.  These microneedles can be divided into two categories: natural or synthetic based on the type of polymer used in their manufacture. Furthermore, microneedles can be categorized by their design, preparation method, and functionality into three types: integrated, two-segements, and core-shell microneedles. Each of these designs has different advantages, disadvantages, and applications in the medical field. Polymer microneedles can cause explosive or slow drug release in the body based on the solubility or degradation of the polymer after penetrating the skin and interacting with the body's interstitial fluid. In this article, while introducing the most common natural and synthetic polymers used in the manufacture of microneedles, the types of polymer microneedles manufactured in recent years and their practical results are reviewed.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Basparesh
Volume 15, Issue 2 - Serial Number 55
September 2025
Pages 27-39

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