Dissolving Microneedle Array Patches Containing Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles of Different Pore Sizes as a Tunable Sustained Release Platform

The study explores the use of dissolving microneedle array patches (DMAP) containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) with varying pore sizes as a platform for sustained drug release. These DMAPs, containing approximately 2.3 mg of MSN primarily in the microneedle tips, were successfully tested for insertion and nanoparticle deposition in vitro, ex vivo using neonatal porcine skin, and in vivo on mice. The study confirmed the dissolution of microneedles and the deposition of 20.9 ± 7.26% of MSN in neonatal porcine skin. Additionally, the in vivo release of the cargo from the nanoparticles was verified through fluorescence measurements, highlighting the potential of DMAPs for efficient and sustained therapeutic delivery.