Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42514144›Full record

ArticleLife (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Radiofrequency Microneedling-Mediated Enhancement in Percutaneous Delivery of Topical Triamcinolone Acetonide: An In Vivo Quantitative Study.

Rosalyn Kupwiwat, Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha, Teerapat Wannawittayapa, Panyapat Buranaporn, Poonsin Poungpairoj, Theeraporn Maneesawat, Varangkana Tantithavorna, Premrutai Thitilertdecha

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In one paragraph

Article in Life (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

8 authors.

Rosalyn KupwiwatDepartment of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.ORCID 0009-0004-3297-2696
Rungsima WanitphakdeedechaDepartment of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.ORCID 0000-0002-3926-2193
Teerapat WannawittayapaDepartment of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
Panyapat BuranapornDepartment of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
Poonsin PoungpairojSiriraj Research Group in Immunobiology and Therapeutic Sciences, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
Theeraporn ManeesawatSiriraj Research Group in Immunobiology and Therapeutic Sciences, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.ORCID 0000-0003-3792-3805
Varangkana TantithavornaSiriraj Research Group in Immunobiology and Therapeutic Sciences, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
Premrutai ThitilertdechaSiriraj Research Group in Immunobiology and Therapeutic Sciences, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.ORCID 0000-0002-1853-4073

Funding

Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University N/A
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe stratum corneum (SC) limits the efficacy of topical corticosteroids. Radiofrequency microneedling (RFMN) may enhance drug delivery; however, quantitative in vivo human data remain limited.

objectiveTo evaluate RFMN-assisted delivery of topical triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) and determine optimal device parameters.

methodsIn this prospective intra-individual study, five healthy volunteers underwent TAC application followed by RFMN on volar forearms. Two insertion depths (0.5 and 2.5 mm) and three RF energy levels (0, 390, and 750 mJ) were assessed. TAC uptake into the SC was quantified after 6 h using tape stripping and UPLC-PDA.

resultsRFMN significantly enhanced TAC absorption compared with topical application alone. The highest uptake was observed at 2.5 mm insertion depth without RF energy (3.5-fold increase). At 0.5 mm depth, only moderate RF energy (390 mJ) improved penetration (2.3-fold), whereas higher energy showed no benefit. TAC distribution profiles demonstrated increased drug deposition primarily in superficial SC layers.

conclusionsInsertion depth is the primary determinant of RFMN-assisted drug delivery, while RF energy plays a secondary, context-dependent role. RFMN represents a promising strategy to enhance topical corticosteroid delivery with potential clinical applications in inflammatory dermatoses and scar modulation.

Indexed as

dermal absorptiondrug deliverymicroneedlingradiofrequencytriamcinolone acetonide

Identifiers

PMID42514144
PMCPMC13412700

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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.