Hyaluronic acid-based biodegradable microneedles loaded with epidermal growth factor for treatment of diabetic foot

Pain relief and effective methods of treating patients with diabetic foot wounds have yet to be established. Improved surgical treatment, other than suturing, and medical (drug) treatments, are required to address severe symptoms. In this study, we developed a drug delivery system using biodegradable microneedles that are suitable for delivering drugs to sensitive skin and reducing pain. First, we successfully fabricated a silicon mold using a microneedle metal master. The dimensions of the microneedle are width 200 mu m x height 250 mu m, as confirmed by election microscopy. A microneedle loaded with epidermal growth factor (EGF; 10 ppm) in biodegradable hyaluronic acid, prepared using a silicon mold, was also established for drug delivery. The characteristics of the EGF-loaded microneedles (MPEGF) were also confirmed using porcine back skin and polymer membranes, demonstrating a skin permeability of more than 95%. Finally, MPEGF showed a skin-healing effect and angiogenesis in vitro and ex vivo experiments. Taken together, we suggest that MPEGF may be a new treatment method for patients with diabetic feet for wound healing and blood vessel regeneration.