Development and evaluation of hydrogel microneedles based on Gantrez® S-97 and hyaluronic acid for transdermal delivery of metoclopramide.

Microneedles have emerged as a promising technology for enhancing transdermal delivery. The micron-sized needles penetrate the stratum corneum with minimal pain and discomfort. Among the different microneedle types, hydrogel microneedles offer distinct advantages, including sustained drug release and biocompatibility. The present study aimed to optimize the formulation of hydrogel microneedles composed of Gantrez®S-97, a hydrophilic polymer, crosslinked with the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid at 80 °C to form a hydrogel matrix. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone, a synthetic water-soluble polymer, was incorporated to improve microneedles stability and enhance sustained drug release. Metoclopramide hydrochloride is a dopamine receptor antagonist with variable oral bioavailability and established clinical use in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, and gastroesophageal reflux disorders. Metoclopramide-loaded hydrogel microneedle formulations were prepared with varying polymer compositions and evaluated by in vitro permeation studies. The optimized formulation demonstrated mechanical strength, uniform needle morphology, and a sustained drug release profile over 24 h. The hydrogel microneedles achieved up to an 18-fold enhancement in transdermal drug permeation compared to a conventional transdermal film.