UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Transscleral Delivery of Dexamethasone-Loaded Microparticles Using a Dissolving Microneedle Array

Fitaihi, Rawan; Abukhamees, Shorooq; Orlu, Mine; Craig, Duncan QM; (2023) Transscleral Delivery of Dexamethasone-Loaded Microparticles Using a Dissolving Microneedle Array. Pharmaceutics , 15 (6) , Article 1622. 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061622. Green open access

[thumbnail of pharmaceutics-15-01622.pdf]
Preview
PDF
pharmaceutics-15-01622.pdf - Published Version

Download (6MB) | Preview

Abstract

Microneedles (MNs) have attracted considerable interest as a means of ocular drug delivery, a challenging delivery route due to the limitations imposed by the various biological barriers associated with this organ. In this study, a novel ocular drug delivery system was developed by formulating a dissolvable MN array containing dexamethasone-loaded PLGA microparticles for scleral drug deposition. The microparticles serve as a drug reservoir for controlled transscleral delivery. The MNs displayed sufficient mechanical strength to penetrate the porcine sclera. Dexamethasone (Dex) scleral permeation was significantly higher than in topically instilled dosage forms. The MN system was able to distribute the drug through the ocular globe, with 19.2% of the administered Dex detected in the vitreous humour. Additionally, images of the sectioned sclera confirmed the diffusion of fluorescent-labelled microparticles within the scleral matrix. The system therefore represents a potential approach for minimally invasive Dex delivery to the posterior of the eye, which lends itself to self-administration and hence high patient convenience.

Type: Article
Title: Transscleral Delivery of Dexamethasone-Loaded Microparticles Using a Dissolving Microneedle Array
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061622
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15061622
Language: English
Additional information: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third-party material in this article are included in the Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Keywords: Dissolvable microneedle; ocular microneedle; dexamethasone; ocular delivery; transscleral permeation; PLGA microparticles
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > UCL School of Pharmacy
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > UCL School of Pharmacy > Pharmaceutics
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10171623
Downloads since deposit
0Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item