A novel fast-releasing formulation containing curcumin and anti-microbial peptide-encapsulated transdermal hydrogels into microneedles to reduce inflammation in the therapy of neonatal sepsis

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide. Typically, intramuscular injections of gentamycin and vancomycin have been the preferred treatment for sepsis. The use of these drug molecules has many complications because of some side effects, proper dosage calculations, and harmless injection supply. In the present study, we developed new combinations of therapeutic drug molecules containing anti-inflammatory curcumin with bioactive antimicrobial peptides (AMP). We designed and developed a biocompatible and thermally responsive chitosan/polyacrylamide polymeric microneedle array to deliver AMP/curcumin nanoparticles (Nano-Cur) transdermally. The prepared drug-loaded microneedles were investigated for their chemical and morphological structure, in vitro insertion, and transdermal drug release. This investigation established that AMP/Nano-Cur-loaded microneedles have potential effects in sepsis treatment.