Recent Advances in Drug Delivery Through Microneedle-Based Systems

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 2700

Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: microneedle-based devices; lipid-based nanoparticles; polymeric nanoparticles; biomimetic nanosystems; microfluidics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to our upcoming Special Issue on "Recent Advances in Drug Delivery Through Microneedle-Based Systems" in Pharmaceutics. This Special Issue aims to compile the latest developments and insights involving Microneedle-based devices for biomedical applications. Microneedle-based devices have revolutionized the drug delivery of active molecules into and through the skin based on their unique ability to painlessly bypass the stratum corneum structure, overcoming the barrier function exerted naturally by the skin. Moreover, the application outside the skin of these breakthrough biomedical systems is being notably explored currently. We aim to create a collection of high-quality research papers and review articles that dive into the multifaceted advances of this technology.

In this Special Issue, research areas might include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Development and characterization of novel microneedle-based biomedical systems;
  • Combination of microneedle-based systems with micro- and nano-systems;
  • Smart microneedle-based delivery systems;
  • Microneedle-based systems for systemic delivery of active compounds (transdermal) and vaccination;
  • Microneedle-based system for local treatment of skin conditions (inflammation, skin cancer, infections, immune conditions, etc.);
  • Out-skin application of microneedle-based systems (ocular, mucosal, etc.);
  • Theranostic and diagnostic systems based on microneedle devices;
  • Biocompatibility and safety assessment of microneedle-based systems for pre-clinical and clinical translation;
  • Computational, modeling, and drug release mechanistic studies involving a microneedle-based system;
  • AI-driven design and study of microneedle-based systems;
  • Microneedle-based systems for cosmetic purposes;
  • Regulatory and translational states of microneedle-based systems.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Antonio José Guillot
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microneedle-based systems
  • microneedles
  • micro array patches
  • skin delivery
  • transdermal delivery
  • vaccination

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

40 pages, 11475 KB  
Article
Next-Generation Minimally Invasive Anti-Aging Therapy: Incorporation of Resveratrol-Nicotinamide Cerosomes into PLGA Microneedles for Enhanced Skin Permeation
by Sammar Fathy Elhabal, Mai S. Shoela, Fatma E. Hassan, Suzan Awad AbdelGhany Morsy, Amal M. Elsharkawy, Amany Ali Khalil Nawar, Mona Mohamed Ahmed, Shady Allam, Marwa A. Fouad, Amal Anwar Taha, Ahmed Mohsen Faheem, Hanan Mohamed Abd Elmoneim and Ahmed Mohsen Elsaid Hamdan
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(3), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18030326 - 4 Mar 2026
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2288
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Skin aging and wrinkle formation are primarily driven by ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Resveratrol (RSV) and nicotinamide (NCT) possess potent anti-aging properties but suffer from poor skin penetration. This study aimed to develop an advanced transdermal delivery system incorporating [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Skin aging and wrinkle formation are primarily driven by ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Resveratrol (RSV) and nicotinamide (NCT) possess potent anti-aging properties but suffer from poor skin penetration. This study aimed to develop an advanced transdermal delivery system incorporating RSV/NCT-loaded cerosomes within poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microneedles to enhance skin permeation and anti-aging performance. Methods: RSV/NCT-loaded cerosomes were formulated using thin-film hydration of phosphatidylcholine, ceramides (III, IIIB, and VI), and poloxamer surfactants, subsequently optimized via a D-optimal mixture design. PLGA microneedles with optimized cerosomes were tested for their mechanical strength, penetration, drug loading, and release. Ex vivo permeation and in vivo evaluations were performed using a UVA-induced skin wrinkling model. Results: Optimized cerosomes exhibited high entrapment efficiency for RSV and NCT (91 ± 0.56% and 85 ± 0.56%, respectively), nanoscale size (195 ± 0.78 nm), low polydispersity (0.23 ± 0.01), and a negative zeta potential (−22 ± 0.45 mV). PLGA microneedles exhibited sufficient mechanical integrity and effective penetrability through Parafilm® layers. Microneedle-loaded cerosomes enabled sustained drug release (approximately 65–70% over 48 h) and enhanced ex vivo permeation, approximately for NCT and RSV (1450 μg/cm2 and 1000 μg/cm2, respectively). In vivo investigations revealed improved skin appearance, restoration of epidermal thickness and collagen architecture, reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NLRP3), reduced oxidative stress biomarkers (GSH, GPx, MDA, SOD), and genetic upregulation of VEGF, TGF-β1, and β-Catenin. Conclusions: The RSV/NCT cerosome-encapsulated PLGA microneedle system offers a promising, minimally invasive approach with superior transdermal delivery, sustained efficacy, and significant anti-aging benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Drug Delivery Through Microneedle-Based Systems)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop