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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of iontophoretic co-delivery of curcumin and anti-STAT3 siRNA using cationic liposomes against skin cancer. Curcumin was encapsulated in DOTAP-based cationic liposomes and then complexed with STAT3 siRNA. This nanocomplex was characterized for the average particle size, zeta-potential, and encapsulation efficiency. The cell viability studies in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells have shown that the co-delivery of curcumin and STAT3 siRNA significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the cancer cell growth compared with either liposomal curcumin or STAT3 siRNA alone. The curcumin-loaded liposomes were able to penetrate up to a depth of 160 μm inside the skin after iontophoretic (0.47 mA/cm) application. The in vivo efficacy studies were performed in the mouse model of melanoma skin cancer. Co-administration of the curcumin and STAT3 siRNA using liposomes significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the tumor progression as measured by tumor volume and tumor weight compared with either liposomal curcumin or STAT3 siRNA alone. Furthermore, the iontophoretic administration of curcumin-loaded liposome-siRNA complex showed similar effectiveness in inhibiting tumor progression and STAT3 protein suppression compared with intratumoral administration. Taken together, cationic liposomes can be utilized for topical iontophoretic co-delivery of small molecule and siRNA for effective treatment of skin diseases.

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Microneedle-based drug delivery has attracted researchers' attention over the last decade. The material of construction of microneedles has emerged as a critical factor influencing clinical usage, manufacture, drug loading and drug stability. Initially, microneedles were fabricated using glass, silicon and metals. The development of sophisticated machining tools and advances in the polymer science allowed for a major shift in materials of construction of microneedles towards polymeric systems. Delivery of difficult to formulate therapeutics, including proteins, peptides, vaccines and genetic material has been established using microneedles. There is a constant search for newer materials, which can easily form microneedles with sufficient strength to penetrate biological barriers, can be easily manufactured, and are compatible with drug molecules and biological systems. While several reviews have discussed microneedle-based cosmetic and drug delivery applications, there is a gap in understanding the effect of material of construction of microneedles on drug stability and potential for large-scale manufacture. This review is an attempt to present microneedles as a function of the material used for its construction. Since microneedle commercialization is now a realistic possibility, we believe that improved understanding of materials and their chemistry will allow for improved decision making, especially for industries looking towards bringing microneedle technology to manufacturing setups.

The study demonstrates that the physicochemical properties of dendrimers influence their skin transport. Findings can be used to design dendrimer-based nanocarriers for drug delivery to skin.

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