Microneedle (MN) technology has emerged as a promising approach for delivering therapeutic agents to the skin, offering significant potential in treating various dermal conditions. Among these technologies, hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMNs) represent a transformative advancement in the management of dermal diseases through non-invasive drug delivery. These innovative devices consist of micrometer-sized needles made of native or crosslinked hydrophilic polymers, capable of penetrating the stratum corneum without damaging underlying tissues. Upon insertion, HFMNs rapidly absorb interstitial fluid, swelling to form a hydrogel conduit that enables the efficient transport of therapeutic agents directly into the dermal microcirculation. The non-invasive nature of HFMNs enhances patient compliance by eliminating the pain and discomfort associated with traditional hypodermic needles. This technology allows for the delivery of a wide range of drugs, including macromolecules and biomacromolecules, which are often difficult to administer dermally due to their size and polarity. Moreover, HFMNs provide controlled and regulated release profiles, enabling sustained therapeutic effects while minimizing systemic side effects. Additionally, HFMNs can be used for both drug delivery and real-time interstitial fluid monitoring, offering valuable insights into disease states and treatment responses. This dual functionality positions HFMNs as a versatile dermatology tool capable of effectively addressing various dermal complications. This review explores the potential use of polymeric biomaterials in HFMN fabrication and their application in treating major dermal disorders, such as acne, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. Furthermore, the review highlights the non-invasive nature of MN-based treatments, underscoring their potential to reduce patient discomfort and improve treatment adherence, as supported by the recent literature.

Selenium (Se) is a paramount micronutrient, indispensable for the holistic health of humans, animals, and microorganisms.

Biogenic nanoparticle production is in demand as it is secure, has great promise, and is environmental friendly. This study aimed at green synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of Terminalia arjuna selenium nanoparticles (TA-SeNPs) for their antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer activities, and their incorporation in gel for biomedical applications. The bio-reduction attributes of the T. arjuna (TA) bark extract were utilized to fabricate selenium nanoparticles. The TA bark extract is abundant in phenolics (193.63 ± 1.61 mg gallic acid equivalents/g), flavonoids (88.23 ± 0.39 mg quercetin equivalents/g), and tannins (109.46 ± 1.16 mg catechin equivalents/g), which perform as effective capping and stabilizing agents, thus enabling the fabrication of stable SeNPs. The fabrication of TA-SeNPs was corroborated by UV–visible spectra, which exhibited surface plasmon resonance at 291 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated nano-sized spherical TA-SeNPs with an average diameter ranging from 100 to 150 nm. Zeta potential analysis revealed that TA-SeNPs were negatively charged (−26.1 mV). X-ray diffraction presented amorphous TA-SeNPs with a quantification of 82.36 ± 10.2 μg/mL resulting from ICP-AES. The IC ₅₀ 45.18 ± 0.11 μg/mL for the DPPH assay and 66.51% reducing power capacity values indicated that the TA-SeNPs possessed excellent radical scavenging efficacy. Moreover, the TA-SeNPs exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against potential pathogens. Additionally, the TA-SeNPs exhibited a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, with an IC ₅₀ of 23.41 μg/mL. Furthermore, the TA-SeNP-incorporated gel showed excellent spreadability, extrudability, and consistency with retention of antimicrobial properties and hydrophilic contact angle. As an outcome, TA-SeNPs offer the possibility of the formulation and growth of sustainably designed green SeNPs that can be produced, conserved, and marketed securely across the globe.

Selenium nanomaterials (Nano-Se) are new selenium sources with excellent biocompatibility, degradability, and bioactivities. The objective of the present study is the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using Diospyros montana Roxb (DM) bark extract, its characterization, and evaluation for in-vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer activities. To synthesize Diospyros montana- selenium nanoparticles (DM-SeNPs), selenious acid (H2SeO3) was reduced using D. montana extract via precipitation technique. UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDAX, and ICP-AES were used to characterize DM-SeNPs. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay and reducing power capacity were used to test DM-SeNP for antioxidant activity. The antibacterial properties of the DM-SeNP were tested using the well diffusion method against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. DM-SeNPs were also subjected to antiproliferative activity using MTT assay via MCF-7 cell line. A peak in UV at 289 nm validated the synthesis of DM-SeNPs. According to DLS, SEM, and TEM images, the size of DM-SeNPs was between 100-150 nm. XRD analysis confirmed the crystallinity of DM-SeNPs. Selenium was verified in colloidal dispersion using EDAX analysis, and ICP-AES confirmed selenium content 63.45 ±18.3 µg/mL in DM-SeNP. The IC50 24.72 ± 0.63 µg/mL and EC50 46.30 ± 0.21 µg/mL values indicated that the DM-SeNPs had a good antioxidant capacity. DM-SeNPs showed comparative better antibacterial potential. The inhibition zones were found to be the highest for E. coli (48.00 mm), B. subtilis (44.14 mm), Klebsiella pneumonia (36.20 mm), and S. aureus (34.16mm), respectively. Antiproliferative activity was carried out, which showed DM-SeNPs were cytotoxic to breast cancer cells line (MCF-7). The IC50 values for DM-SeNPs were found to be 38.19 ± 0.27 µg/mL and Doxorubicin 6.41 ± 0.09 µg/mL, respectively. The study suggests that DM-SeNPs display moderate cytotoxicity that could dose-dependently inhibit cell proliferation. Thus, experimental evidence provides insight into selenium nanoparticle synthesis, its potential therapeutic value, and the prospect of developing a formulation containing DM-SeNPs.

Drug delivery systems have revolutionized traditional drug administration methods by addressing various challenges, such as enhancing drug solubility, prolonging effectiveness, minimizing adverse effects, and preserving potency. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, particularly nanoparticles (NPs) and nanofibers (NFs), have emerged as promising solutions for biomedicine delivery. NFs, with their ability to mimic the porous and fibrous structures of biological tissues, have garnered significant interest in drug-delivering applications. Biopolymers such as gelatin (Ge) and chitosan (CH) have gained much more attention due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatility in biomedical applications. CH exhibits exceptional biocompatibility, anti-bacterial activity, and wound healing capabilities, whereas Ge provides good biocompatibility and cell adhesion properties. Ge/CH-based NFs stimulate cellular connections and facilitate tissue regeneration owing to their structural resemblance to the extracellular matrix. This review explores the additive methods of preparation, including electrospinning, force pinning, and template synthesis, focusing on electrospinning and the factors influencing the fiber structure. The properties of Ge and CH, their role in drug release, formulation strategies, and characterization techniques for electrospun fibers are discussed. Furthermore, this review addresses applications in delivering active moieties in the management of orthopedics and wound healing with regulatory considerations, along with challenges related to them. Thus, the review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential of Ge/CH-based NFs for drug delivery and biomedical applications.