Bee Sting-Inspired Inflammation-Responsive Microneedles for Periodontal Disease Treatment

Abstract

Periodontal lesions are common and frustrating diseases that impact life quality. Efforts in this aspect aim at developing local drug delivery systems with better efficacy and less toxicity. Herein, inspired by the sting separation behavior of bees, we conduct novel reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive detachable microneedles (MNs) that carry antibiotic metronidazole (Met) for controllable periodontal drug delivery and periodontitis treatment. Benefiting from the needle-base separation ability, such MNs can penetrate through the healthy gingival to reach the gingival sulcus's bottom while offering minimal impact to oral function. Besides, as the drug-encapsulated cores were protected by poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) shells in MNs, the surrounding normal gingival tissue is not affected by Met, resulting in excellent local biosafety. Additionally, with the ROS-responsive PLGA-thioketal-polyethylene glycol MN tips, they can be unlocked to release Met directly around the pathogen under the high ROS in the periodontitis sulcus, bringing about improved therapeutic effects. Based on these characteristics, the proposed bioinspired MNs show good therapeutic results in treating a rat model with periodontitis, implying their potential in periodontal disease.

Applications and prospects of microneedles in tumor drug delivery

“…70 With scientific and technological advances, microneedle preparation materials have also been developed from inorganic materials such as glass, 70,71 ceramics, 72,73 silicon, 74,75 resin, 76 and metal 77 into organic materials such as polymers. 78 Polymers can be divided into natural polymers and synthetic polymers. 79 Natural polymers are a class of natural active substances extracted from animals, microorganisms, and algae, including gelatin chitosan, 80–82 silk fibroin (SF), 83,84 hyaluronic acid (HA), 85 and sodium alginate (SA).…”

Hydrogel-Encapsulated Pancreatic Islet Cells as a Promising Strategy for Diabetic Cell Therapy

“…Compared to the typical microsphere style of encasing pancreatic islets above, microneedles, as a highly intriguing vehicle in the field of transdermal drug delivery in recent years, have made many attempts at diabetes treatment [ 108 , 109 ]. By loading insulin within the microneedles, Zhao’s group achieved light-responsive release of insulin subcutaneously [ 110 ] as well as magnetically responsive release in the intestine [ 111 ].…”

A Miniaturized Wireless Micropump Enabled by Confined Acoustic Streaming

“…In the past few decades, miniaturization of health care, biomedical, and chemical systems in the laboratory has drawn a surge of attention [ 1 – 3 ]. Consequently, novel portable systems, including micro-total analysis systems [ 4 ], lab-on-a-chip [ 5 ], organ-on-a-chip [ 6 ], point-of-care testing (POCT) systems [ 7 ], and controlled drug delivery systems (cDDSs) [ 8 , 9 ], have been largely developed. In these portable systems, the flexible manipulation and transportation of small amount of fluid is one of the central requirements [ 10 , 11 ].…”