Transdermal delivery using microneedles is gaining increasing attention from pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies as one of the promising drug delivery methods. Microneedle products have recently become available on the market, and some of them are under evaluation for efficacy and safety. To be available in the market for cosmetic and therapeutic use, several factors should be considered, including pain, anxiety, convenience and safety. These factors are summarized and reviewed in this article according to type of microneedle. Various kinds of materials have been used for manufacturing microneedles and developing drug formulations for microneedles. Safety information about materials used for microneedles is summarized in terms of type of microneedles. In addition to their biocompatibility, mechanical safety is also discussed. This review can provide guidelines for designing microneedle products for proper use.
Although smallpox has been eradicated globally, the potential use of the smallpox virus in bioterrorism indicates the importance of stockpiling smallpox vaccines. Considering the advantages of microneedle-based vaccination over conventional needle injections, in this study, we examined the feasibility of microneedle-based smallpox vaccination as an alternative approach for stockpiling smallpox vaccines. We prepared polylactic acid (PLA) microneedle array patches by micromolding and loaded a second-generation smallpox vaccine on the microneedle tips via dip coating. We evaluated the effect of excipients and drying conditions on vaccine stability in vitro and examined immune responses in female BALB/c mice by measuring neutralizing antibodies and interferon (IFN)-γ-secreting cells. Approximately 40% of the virus titer was reduced during the vaccine-coating process, with or without excipients. At −20 °C, the smallpox vaccine coated on the microneedles was stable up to 6 months. Compared to natural evaporation, vacuum drying was more efficient in improving the smallpox vaccine stability. Microneedle-based vaccination of the mice elicited neutralizing antibodies beginning 3 weeks after immunization; the levels were maintained for 12 weeks. It significantly increased IFN-γ-secreting cells 12 weeks after priming, indicating the induction of cellular immune responses. The smallpox-vaccine-coated microneedles could serve as an alternative delivery system for vaccination and stockpiling.
Insertion-responsive microneedles (IRMNs) have been developed that can enable instantaneous drug delivery without applying patches through immediate tip separation upon insertion.
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Purpose: This study attempted to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of <i>Echinacea angustifolia</i> extract.Methods: For analysis of radical scavenging activities, DPPH, ABTS and FRAP were performed. To analyze antioxidant properties, in addition, polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations were measured. In cell-based assays, cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory assays were performed, using RAW 264.7.Results: The results found the followings: DPPH and ABTS assays revealed 27.98% and 20.29% respectively in terms of antioxidant activities when compared to ascorbic acid. In the FRAP assay, <i>E. angustifolia</i> extract (1 mg) showed 0.412±0.013 μg of reducing power (ascorbic acid). Polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations were 104.42±3.21 mg/g and 62.86±2.26 mg/g each. In terms of cytotoxicity, more than 80% cells survived after the assays, confirming the low toxicity of <i>E. angustifolia</i> extract. In anti-inflammatory activities, the extract reduced the inflammatory response and, at the same time, showed 51.07±4.58% inflammation-inhibiting effects at 200 μg/mL, confirming the potential of E. angustifolia extract as an ingredient of cosmeceuticals.Conclusion: These results confirmed the potential of <i>E. angustifolia</i> extract as an ingredient of cosmeceuticals.
Purpose: <i>Echinacea angustifolia (E. angustifolia</i>) extract’s usefulness as a cosmetic ingredient was examined. This study confirmed its skin improvement effects through a moisturizing and elasticity test and clinical trials.Methods: Cell ability of <i>E. angustifolia</i> on HaCaT and CCD986sk cells was measured by MTT assay respectively. And hyaluronic acid in HaCaT cells and pro-collagen acid productions in CCD986sk cells were measured.Results: As a result of the cytotoxicity test on CCD986sk and HaCaT cells, it was confirmed that there was no cytotoxicity at a concentration of 200 μg/mL or less. At a concentration of 200 μg/mL, both hyaluronic acid and collagen productions showed statistically significant differences. Meanwhile, the skin improvement test performed in the clinical trials revealed high scores compared to a control group and a significant difference was observed especially in moisturizing and wrinkle-care effects (<i>p</i> <0.001, <i>p</i> <0.01).Conclusion: With the potential of <i>E. angustifolia</i> extract, this study confirmed its promise as a cosmeceutical cosmetics ingredient.
Purpose: In this study, cytotoxicity and whitening effects of liposomes and non-liposomes containing <i>Geranium maculatum</i> (<i>G. maculatum</i>) were measured to confirm their functionality as a cosmetic material.Methods: The cytotoxicity test was used to measure the effect of <i>G. maculatum</i> in liposomes and non-liposomes on B16F10 cells, and the whitening test was performed to measure the inhibitory effect of <i>G. maculatum</i> in liposomes and non-liposomes on melanin and tyrosinase production. Furthermore, the effect of <i>G. maculatum</i> liposomes on LPS-induced NO production was determined in RAW 264.7 cells. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay.Results: <i>G. maculatum</i> in liposomes showed higher a cytotoxicity to B16F10 cells than <i>G. maculatum</i> in non-liposomes. Examination of the inhibitory effect on melanin production and tyrosinase production revealed that <i>G. maculatum</i> in liposomes produced a stronger whitening effect than that in non-liposomes. In addition, the experiments using RAW 264.7 cells showed that liposomes containing G. maculatum not only inhibited NO production but also resulted in higher cell viability than non-liposomes containing <i>G. maculatum</i>. Conclusion: Liposomescontaining <i>G. maculatum</i> exert an antiseptic effect through a significant inhibition of NO production. They are preferred as a cosmetic material owing to their inhibitory activity on tyrosinase and melanin production.
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