Characteristics of Hydrogels as a Coating for Microneedle Transdermal Delivery Systems with Agomelatine
Monika Wojtyłko,
Ariadna B. Nowicka,
Anna Froelich,
Mirosław Szybowicz,
Tobiasz Banaszek,
Dorota Tomczak,
Wiesław Kuczko,
Radosław Wichniarek,
Irena Budnik,
Barbara Jadach,
Oliwia Kordyl,
Antoni Białek,
Julia Krysztofiak,
Tomasz Osmałek,
Dimitrios A. Lamprou
Affiliations
Monika Wojtyłko
3D Printing Division, Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Ariadna B. Nowicka
Institute of Materials Research and Quantum Engineering, The Faculty of Materials Engineering and Technical Physics, Poznan University of Technology, 3 Piotrowo Street, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
Anna Froelich
3D Printing Division, Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Mirosław Szybowicz
Institute of Materials Research and Quantum Engineering, The Faculty of Materials Engineering and Technical Physics, Poznan University of Technology, 3 Piotrowo Street, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
Tobiasz Banaszek
Institute of Materials Research and Quantum Engineering, The Faculty of Materials Engineering and Technical Physics, Poznan University of Technology, 3 Piotrowo Street, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
Dorota Tomczak
Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 4 Berdychowo Street, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
Wiesław Kuczko
Institute of Materials Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 3 Piotrowo Street, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
Radosław Wichniarek
Institute of Materials Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 3 Piotrowo Street, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
Irena Budnik
Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Barbara Jadach
Division of Industrial Pharmacy, Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Oliwia Kordyl
3D Printing Division, Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Antoni Białek
Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Julia Krysztofiak
Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Tomasz Osmałek
Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Dimitrios A. Lamprou
School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
Agomelatine (AGM) is an effective antidepressant with low oral bioavailability due to intensive hepatic metabolism. Transdermal administration of agomelatine may increase its bioavailability and reduce the doses necessary for therapeutic effects. However, transdermal delivery requires crossing the stratum corneum barrier. For this purpose, the use of microneedles may increase the efficiency of administration. The aim of this study was to prepare an agomelatine-loaded hydrogel suitable for coating microneedles for the transdermal drug delivery of AGM. The optimized formulations were subjected to spectroscopic and rheological characterization and mechanical tests, as well as tested for release through an artificial membrane and permeation through human skin ex vivo. Both hydrogels were found to have suitable parameters for coating microneedles using the dip-coating method, including the stability of the substance at the process temperature, shear-thinning behavior, and appropriate textural parameters such as adhesion or hardness. Additionally, two formulations were tested for potential application to the skin alone because the gels showed suitable mechanical properties for the skin application. In this case, the ethanol gel was characterized by higher skin permeability and better spreadability. The information obtained in this study will allow the preparation of coated microneedles for the transdermal administration of agomelatine.
