Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40372697›Full record

ArticleDrug delivery and translational research2026

Synergy of dissolving microneedles and ultrasound to enhance transdermal delivery for rheumatoid arthritis.

Wangrui Peng, MeeiChyn Goh, Jie Lan, Meng Du, Zhiyi Chen

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Drug delivery and translational research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Stimuli-Responsive Nanoplatforms for Precision Intervention in Rheumatoid Arthritis.Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Wangrui Peng *Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Precision Theranostics and Radiation Protection, College of Hunan Province, the Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, University of South China, Changsha, China.
MeeiChyn Goh *Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Precision Theranostics and Radiation Protection, College of Hunan Province, the Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, University of South China, Changsha, China.
Jie LanKey Laboratory of Medical Imaging Precision Theranostics and Radiation Protection, College of Hunan Province, the Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, University of South China, Changsha, China.
Meng DuKey Laboratory of Medical Imaging Precision Theranostics and Radiation Protection, College of Hunan Province, the Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, University of South China, Changsha, China.
Zhiyi ChenKey Laboratory of Medical Imaging Precision Theranostics and Radiation Protection, College of Hunan Province, the Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, University of South China, Changsha, China. zhiyi_chen@usc.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5973-4522

Funding

Hunan Provincial Health High-Level Talent Scientific Research Project R2023010National Key R&D Program of China 2019YFE0110400National Natural Science Foundation of China 82272028
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Dissolving microneedles (DMNs) are an emerging transdermal drug delivery system that has gained increasing attention as an alternative to traditional oral and injectable methods for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, these DMNs encounter challenges related to insufficient drug diffusion through passive mechanisms. To address this issue, we developed biocompatible DMNs fabricated from hyaluronic acid (HA) loaded with ultrasound-responsive nanoparticles, aiming at enhancing drug permeation and diffusion through ultrasound (US) assistance. Methotrexate (MTX), a first-line treatment for RA, was encapsulated in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based nanoparticles containing perfluoro-n-pentane (PFP), referred to as MTX-PFP-NPs. These nanoparticles were then incorporated into DMNs, designated as MTX-PFP-NPs@DMNs. Under the cavitation effect of ultrasound, PFP undergoes a phase transition that facilitates drug release and diffusion. The synergistic effect of the DMNs system and US were demonstrated in both an ex-vivo rat skin model and a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. The MTX-PFP-NPs@DMNs exhibited sufficient mechanical strength to penetrate the stratum corneum and dissolve completely within 20 min, enabling effective drug delivery. The synergistic effect of the DMNs system and US was evidenced by enhanced FITC penetration and diffusion in the ex-vivo rat skin model. Additionally, in vivo studied showed improved therapeutic efficacy in reducing joint swelling, bone erosion, cartilage damage, and pro-inflammatory cytokines level compared to only MTX-PFP-NPs@DMNs. This research underscores the promising integration of DMNs technology and US, offering a high-compliance approach to transdermal drug delivery that could significantly improve treatment outcomes for chronic conditions like RA.

Indexed as

Antirheumatic AgentsArthritis, ExperimentalArthritis, RheumatoidDrug Delivery SystemsMethotrexateAdministration, CutaneousAnimalsDrug LiberationHyaluronic AcidMaleMiceNanoparticlesNeedlesPolylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid CopolymerRatsRats, Sprague-DawleyAntirheumatic AgentsHyaluronic AcidMethotrexatePolylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid CopolymerDissolving microneedlesDrug diffusionRheumatoid arthritisTransdermal drug deliveryUltrasound-responsive

Identifiers

PMID40372697

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.