PVP-microneedle array for drug delivery: mechanical insight, biodegradation, and recent advances

AbstractMicroneedle arrays are micron-sized needles usually attached to a supporting base or patch facilitated drug delivery for systemic effects. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a lactam polymer containing an internal amide linkage. Because of its versatility and biocompatibility, it has been widely utilized to treat several skin, bone and eye problems. Due to its specific and unique properties, the researchers realize its utility as a polymer of tremendous potential. PVP-based dissolvable microneedles have widely been utilized as a carrier for delivering DNAs, proteins, vitamins, and several biological macromolecules transdermally. However, it does not get biodegraded into the body. Therefore, the presence of its fragments in the body post-treatment needs proper justification. The adequate justification for the fate of the fragment's end products in the body will allow even better utilization of PVP. This review analyses and illustrates various experimental findings to highlight the most recent advancements and applications of PVP microneedles in drug delivery systems and cosmetology and the potential for PVP microneedles in treating dermal and systemic disorders. This review presents the expected mode of PVP biodegradation in aqueous and soil environments as a waste material, its inertness, biocompatibility, and the importance of PVP as a fabricating material, pharmaceutical uses, and non-toxic profile.Keywords: Polyvinylpyrrolidonemicroneedletransdermaldrug deliverypovidonebiodegradation AcknowledgmentsWe are thankful to the Management and Dean School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha for providing necessary support and facilities to carry out this work. The consultancy support of VJ EdiTER Pvt. Ltd. in terms of editing and proofrading services is duly acknowledged.Consent formIt is stated that all authors have read and approved this version of the article and no part of this paper has been published nor it is simultaneously submitted elsewhere for publication. We hereby give our consent to publish this content.Author contributionsKeisham Nelson Mangang: Data collection and compilation, manuscript writing. Pragati Thakran: Compilation, manuscript writing. Jitu Halder: Data analysis and critical analysis. Kuldeep Singh Yadav: Language editing and proofreading, data interpretation and critical analysis. Goutam Ghosh: Conceptualization of the topics and critical analysis. Deepak Pradhan: Data analysis and critical analysis. Goutam Rath: Design of the table of content, data analysis and editing and proof reading. Vineet Kumar Rai: Conceptualization of the topic and design of the table of content, data analysis and paper writing, editing and proof reading.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Data availability statementThe authors declare that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article. We have not used any third-party material.FundingThe author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.