Synergistic effect of iontophoresis and soluble microneedles for transdermal delivery of methotrexate

J Pharm Pharmacol. 2008 Jan;60(1):27-33. doi: 10.1211/jpp.60.1.0004.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the transdermal iontophoretic delivery of methotrexate, alone or in combination with microneedles, in-vitro and in-vivo using intracutaneous microdialysis in the hairless rat. The average depth of the microdialysis probe in the skin was found to be 0.54 mm. Methotrexate was stable in the presence of an applied electric field as determined by cyclic voltammetry. A current density of 0.4 mA cm(-2) applied for 60 min was used in combination with maltose microneedles to enhance delivery of methotrexate across the skin. Delivery was enhanced by iontophoresis and microneedles, both in-vitro and in-vivo. A synergistic 25-fold enhancement of delivery was observed in-vivo when a combination of microneedles and ionto- phoresis was used compared with either modality alone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Drug Stability
  • Electroporation / methods
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Injections, Intradermal
  • Iontophoresis / instrumentation
  • Iontophoresis / methods*
  • Male
  • Maltose / chemistry
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage*
  • Methotrexate / chemistry
  • Methotrexate / pharmacokinetics
  • Microdialysis / methods
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Pharmaceutic Aids / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Nude
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin / ultrastructure
  • Skin Absorption
  • Time Factors
  • Water Loss, Insensible

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Pharmaceutic Aids
  • Maltose
  • Methotrexate