Bee-sting Inspired Microneedle Patches Offer Pain-free Drug Delivery

Neurological diseases impact millions worldwide, and nan request for semipermanent patient-friendly treatments has ne'er been greater. While needle-based injections are nan modular for astir therapies, regular supplier injections tin often beryllium achy and inconvenient. Microneedles-which are tiny, micron-sized needle systems- person emerged arsenic a promising replacement to accepted needles and connection a symptom free measurement to present medicines. However, astir existing microneedles are rigid and tin origin discomfort during prolonged usage and truthful limits their take successful semipermanent use.

To flooded this, researchers from South Korea person designed a caller microneedles strategy inspired by nan earthy system of a bee sting. Led by Professor Wonku Kang and workfellow Dr. Sohee Jeon from nan College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University successful collaboration pinch Dr. Jun-Ho Jeong from College of Medicine astatine Chung-Ang University, nan squad introduces wearable "Electrospun Web Microneedle (EW-MNs)" based patches which alteration semipermanent and continuous supplier transportation done nan skin. The study was made disposable online successful Advanced Healthcare Materials connected July 31, 2025.

"Unlike accepted rigid microneedles, which tin origin irritation during prolonged use, our EW-MNs are soft, breathable, and stay anchored to nan tegument conscionable for illustration a bee stinger," explains Prof. Kang.

To fabricate nan EW-MNs, nan researchers utilized an electrospinning process (a method that uses an electrical section to rotation very good polymer fibers) to create a web of nanoscale fibers connected metallic microneedles. This resulted successful a fibrous furniture astir nan microneedle tips which mimic nan barbed building of a bee sting. As a result, nan microneedles anchor securely into nan tegument and guarantee a dependable attachment for continuous supplier release. The EW-MNs were past attached to an adhesive portion and a backing furniture to shape a patch.

To trial the efficacy of nan patch, nan squad loaded nan EW-MNs pinch rivastigmine (a supplier commonly utilized to dainty Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease). In animal studies utilizing guinea pigs, nan microneedle patches importantly improved nan absorption of rivastigmine- releasing complete doubly nan supplier and covering a five-fold larger area compared to accepted approaches. Importantly, each this was achieved while maintaining minimum discomfort, and moreover if immoderate mild tegument irritation occurred, it vanished quickly connected removing nan patch.

Emphasizing connected nan effect of this technology, Prof. Kang says "With further development, these EW-MNs could revolutionize supplier delivery, allowing patients to person effective semipermanent treatments without nan fearfulness aliases discomfort of needles!"

In nan future, nan squad intends to widen nan applications of EW-MNs beyond neurological diseases, offering medicated patches for a wide scope of different chronic diseases. This attack besides holds worth for aged patients, children and cases wherever information and diligent compliant treatments are urgently needed. Overall, nan study demonstrates a cleanable illustration of really quality tin thrust innovations, bringing america 1 measurement person towards safer, much comfortable, and patient-friendly supplier delivery.