Engineering of Tetanus Toxoid Loaded Polymeric Microneedle Patches

Abstract This study is aimed to fabricate tetanus toxoid laden microneedle patches using a polymeric blend comprising of polyvinyl pyrollidone and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as base materials and sorbitol as a plasticizer. The tetanus toxoid was mixed with polymeric blend and patches were prepared using vacuum micromoulding technique. Microneedle patches were evaluated for physical attributes such as uniformity of thickness, folding endurance, swelling profile etc. Morphological features were assessed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. In-vitro performance of fabricated patches was studied by using bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA). Insertion ability of microstructures was studied in-vitro on model skin parafilm and in-vivo in albino rat. In-vivo immunogenic activity of the formulation was assessed by recording immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels and T-cell (CD4+ and CD8+) count following the application of dosage forms. Prepared patches, displaying sharp-tipped and smooth-surfaced microstructures, remained intact after 350 folding. Optimized microneedle patch formulation showed ~74 % swelling and ~85.6 % vaccine release within an hour. The microneedles successfully pierced parafilm. Histological examination of microneedle treated rat skin confirmed disruption of epidermis without damaging the underneath vasculature. A significant increase in IgG levels (~21 %), IFN-γ levels (~30 %), CD4+ (~41.5 %) and CD8+ (~48.5 %) cell count was observed in tetanus vaccine loaded microneedle patches treated albino rats with respect to control (untreated) group at 42nd day of immunization. In conclusion, tetanus toxoid loaded microneedle patches can be considered as an efficient choice for transdermal delivery of vaccine without inducing pain commonly experienced with hypodermic needles.