Biodegradable microneedle fabricated from sodium alginate-gelatin for transdermal delivery of clindamycin

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory skin condition of the pilosebaceous unit associated with the colonization of Cutibacterium acnes. One of the problems when using antibiotic creams is antibiotic molecules cannot penetrate the stratum corneum layer of the skin, which acts as a barrier for the molecules. To overcome this problem, a transdermal patch with micron-size needles was developed. This research aimed to fabricate a sodium alginate (S)-gelatin (G) microneedles patch containing clindamycin for acne treatment. The S-G microneedles containing different amounts (i.e., 6, 8, and 10 μmol/L) of the clindamycin hydrochloride were prepared. Their mechanical properties, densities, and release patterns were investigated. The composition of gelatin increased the average force and density of the S-G microneedles. While, the addition of clindamycin hydrochloride did not affect their mechanical properties. The released amount of clindamycin increased with increasing the loading quantity within S-G microneedles. The S-G microneedles successfully penetrated the pig cadaver skin. Lastly, these clindamycin-loaded S-G microneedles could inhibit the growth of C. acnes and were non-toxic to normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) cells. Thus, the S-G microneedles patch had the potential for use in acne treatment. [Display omitted] •The S-G microneedles completely penetrated through the epidermis of pig cadaver skin.•Superior %bacterial reduction at 6 h when compared to a commercial acne patch (3 M® acne patch).•Rapid action of acne treatment due to fast release of clindamycin.