Microneedle-assisted delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a prevalent condition that primarily affects the elderly population and results in various symptoms, including pain and joint dysfunction. It poses a considerable public health challenge globally and is often associated with obesity and aging. Several non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions are currently available to alleviate pain and improve the patient’s quality of life. Non- pharmacological therapies include exercise and weight management, while pharmacologic treatment options include oral and topical administration of non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and intra-articular injection of corticosteroids. Microneedles have emerged as a promising technology for drug delivery, enabling efficient drug delivery that is painless and minimally invasive, making them an attractive alternative to traditional injections or topical formulations for both localised and systemic delivery. This thesis focuses on the development of dissolving microneedles and coated-dissolving microneedles to facilitate the intradermal and transdermal delivery of two anti-inflammatory drugs, diclofenac and dexamethasone. The developed microneedles were evaluated in vitro for their delivery efficiencies and release properties. Additionally, the in vivo pharmacokinetics and drug distribution of the developed microneedles in a rat model were investigated. This thesis also compares microneedle delivery system with traditional therapies and explores the feasibility of microneedles in practical applications. The research presented in this thesis contributes to the development of a safe, efficient, and patient-friendly drug delivery system for the management of inflammatory conditions. The findings highlight the potential of microneedles as a promising drug delivery approach for the treatment of osteoarthritis patients.

Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2028.

Date of Award	Jul 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	China Scholarship Council
Supervisor	Ryan Donnelly (Supervisor) & Dimitrios Lamprou (Supervisor)