Application of Microneedles for High-Molecular-Weight Dextran Penetration Across the Buccal Mucosa

<b>Objectives:</b> This work aimed at investigating the effect of different microneedle-based strategies on the permeation of high-molecular-weight model molecules (fluorescently labeled dextrans (FDs), 70 and 150 kDa) across the buccal mucosa. <b>Methods:</b> Two different a...

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Main Authors: Adriana Fantini, Andrea Delledonne, Luca Casula, Sara Nicoli, Silvia Pescina, Maria Cristina Cardia, Francesco Lai, Cristina Sissa, Patrizia Santi, Cristina Padula
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/2/158
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author Adriana Fantini
Andrea Delledonne
Luca Casula
Sara Nicoli
Silvia Pescina
Maria Cristina Cardia
Francesco Lai
Cristina Sissa
Patrizia Santi
Cristina Padula
author_facet Adriana Fantini
Andrea Delledonne
Luca Casula
Sara Nicoli
Silvia Pescina
Maria Cristina Cardia
Francesco Lai
Cristina Sissa
Patrizia Santi
Cristina Padula
author_sort Adriana Fantini
collection DOAJ
description <b>Objectives:</b> This work aimed at investigating the effect of different microneedle-based strategies on the permeation of high-molecular-weight model molecules (fluorescently labeled dextrans (FDs), 70 and 150 kDa) across the buccal mucosa. <b>Methods:</b> Two different approaches were evaluated: (1) stainless steel microneedles (MNs) of 500 µm height used for tissue pre-treatment; and (2) soluble microneedles of different lengths (150, 500, and 800 µm), made of polyvinylpyrrolidone and FDs, prepared using the solvent casting technique. Porcine esophageal epithelium was used as a model for the buccal mucosa. <b>Results:</b> The application of soluble MNs promoted high-molecular-weight dextran transport across pig esophageal epithelium. The transport was proportional to MN length, with a minimum of 500 µm, regardless of the molecular weight of the FDs. The use of solid MNs of the same length to pre-treat the tissue, followed by the application of a solution of the permeant, did not produce the same effect in terms of onset of permeation, which was found to be much slower. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results obtained show that by applying soluble MNs of appropriate length (500 and 800 µm), the transport of high-molecular-weight dextrans (70 and 150 kDa) across and into the mucosal tissue occurs very rapidly. The multiphoton microscopy analysis confirmed the presence of holes in the tissue and the presence of fluorescein-labeled dextrans.
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spelling doaj-art-5ec3e6bc63d04c00ad12f0da1da45ced2025-08-20T02:03:28ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-01-0118215810.3390/ph18020158Application of Microneedles for High-Molecular-Weight Dextran Penetration Across the Buccal MucosaAdriana Fantini0Andrea Delledonne1Luca Casula2Sara Nicoli3Silvia Pescina4Maria Cristina Cardia5Francesco Lai6Cristina Sissa7Patrizia Santi8Cristina Padula9ADDRes Lab, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, Life Science and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/a, 43124 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, ItalyADDRes Lab, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124 Parma, ItalyADDRes Lab, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, ItalyDepartment of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, Life Science and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/a, 43124 Parma, ItalyADDRes Lab, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124 Parma, ItalyADDRes Lab, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124 Parma, Italy<b>Objectives:</b> This work aimed at investigating the effect of different microneedle-based strategies on the permeation of high-molecular-weight model molecules (fluorescently labeled dextrans (FDs), 70 and 150 kDa) across the buccal mucosa. <b>Methods:</b> Two different approaches were evaluated: (1) stainless steel microneedles (MNs) of 500 µm height used for tissue pre-treatment; and (2) soluble microneedles of different lengths (150, 500, and 800 µm), made of polyvinylpyrrolidone and FDs, prepared using the solvent casting technique. Porcine esophageal epithelium was used as a model for the buccal mucosa. <b>Results:</b> The application of soluble MNs promoted high-molecular-weight dextran transport across pig esophageal epithelium. The transport was proportional to MN length, with a minimum of 500 µm, regardless of the molecular weight of the FDs. The use of solid MNs of the same length to pre-treat the tissue, followed by the application of a solution of the permeant, did not produce the same effect in terms of onset of permeation, which was found to be much slower. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results obtained show that by applying soluble MNs of appropriate length (500 and 800 µm), the transport of high-molecular-weight dextrans (70 and 150 kDa) across and into the mucosal tissue occurs very rapidly. The multiphoton microscopy analysis confirmed the presence of holes in the tissue and the presence of fluorescein-labeled dextrans.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/2/158microneedlesdextranpermeationbuccal mucosa
spellingShingle Adriana Fantini
Andrea Delledonne
Luca Casula
Sara Nicoli
Silvia Pescina
Maria Cristina Cardia
Francesco Lai
Cristina Sissa
Patrizia Santi
Cristina Padula
Application of Microneedles for High-Molecular-Weight Dextran Penetration Across the Buccal Mucosa
Pharmaceuticals
microneedles
dextran
permeation
buccal mucosa
title Application of Microneedles for High-Molecular-Weight Dextran Penetration Across the Buccal Mucosa
title_full Application of Microneedles for High-Molecular-Weight Dextran Penetration Across the Buccal Mucosa
title_fullStr Application of Microneedles for High-Molecular-Weight Dextran Penetration Across the Buccal Mucosa
title_full_unstemmed Application of Microneedles for High-Molecular-Weight Dextran Penetration Across the Buccal Mucosa
title_short Application of Microneedles for High-Molecular-Weight Dextran Penetration Across the Buccal Mucosa
title_sort application of microneedles for high molecular weight dextran penetration across the buccal mucosa
topic microneedles
dextran
permeation
buccal mucosa
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/2/158
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