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KMID : 0984920130150010034
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Journal of Skin Barrier Research
2013 Volume.15 No. 1 p.34 ~ p.40
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Microneedles to Overcome Skin Barriers
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Seok Hae-Yong
Kim Yeu-Chun
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Abstract
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The human skin is composed of stratum corneum layer, epidermis and dermis. Among these layers, stratum corneum can protect our body as the first barrier. However, it can disturb effective drug delivery into inner skins because this layer has a hydrophobic character and is composed of strong cell junctions with other cells. Microneedles were developed to overcome barriers of stratum corneum and deliver various drugs to epidermis and dermis effectively. In addition, microneedles can reduce damage of skin and inject drugs without pain on account of their small size compared to conventional needles. When microfabrication technology was developed to fabricate microsized needles, solid-type microneedles were prepared for pretreatment to increase skin permeability. In addition, different types of microneedles were fabricated for various drug delivery applications such as i) microneedles coated with drug that dissolves off in the skin, ii) polymer microneedles that encapsulate drug and fully dissolve in the skin and iii) hollow microneedles for drug infusion into the skin. Various microneedles were used for delivery of drugs and vaccines. Furthermore, microneedles have also been adapted for delivery of bioactives into the eye and other organs. Overall, microneedles will change the paradigm of drug delivery through its unique characteristics such as improved patient compliance and self-administration.
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KEYWORD
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Microneedle, Skin Barriers, Transdermal drug delivery, Intradermal immunization, Vaccine
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