Polyphenol Microneedles for Dermatological Therapy

Dermatological diseases represent one of the most prevalent health concerns globally, with associated care and treatment costs having consistently increased over the past decade. Current therapeutic modalities, including topical medications, oral pharmaceuticals, and physical therapies, frequently face challenges such as inadequate drug absorption and substantial adverse effects. Microneedles, recognized as minimally invasive drug delivery systems, effectively penetrate the cutaneous barrier to enhance drug permeability and therapeutic efficacy. Polyphenols-abundant in botanical and marine sources-demonstrate diverse pharmacological properties encompassing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The integration of polyphenols with microneedle technology has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for dermatological conditions, demonstrating significant clinical potential. This review examines the multifunctional capabilities of polyphenol-incorporated microneedles and elucidates their mechanisms of action in managing dermatological disorders. Furthermore, it synthesizes recent progress in polyphenol-based microneedle applications for various cutaneous pathologies, including acne vulgaris, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. Finally, current challenges is discussed and proposed future research directions for optimizing polyphenol microneedle systems in dermatological therapeutics.