Inkjet Printing of Amphotericin B onto Biodegradable Microneedles Using Piezoelectric Inkjet Printing

The delivery of amphotericin B, a pharmacologic agent with activity against a broad spectrum of fungi as well as against parasitic protozoa, has been complicated by the fact that amphotericin B exhibits poor solubility in aqueous solutions at physiologic pH levels. In this study, piezoelectric inkjet printing was used to modify the surfaces of Gantrez 169 BF microneedles (Ashland, Covington, KY). These amphotericin B-loaded microneedles demonstrated activity against Candida parapsilosis in a radial diffusion assay. The results of this study suggest that a combination of visible light dynamic mask microstereolithography, micromolding, and piezoelectric inkjet printing may be used to prepare amphotericin B-loaded microneedles with antifungal properties. It is envisioned that microneedles containing amphotericin B may be used for transdermal delivery of pharmacologic agents for the treatment of cutaneous fungal infections as well as cutaneous leishmaniasis.