NERDG 2026
Poster 18 Abstract
Nano-Orlis Microneedle Delivery System for treatment of Acne Vulgaris
Priyanka Panchal, Christopher Hlordzi, Sabesan Yoganathan, Ketan Patel
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
Presenting Author: Priyanka Panchal
Corresponding Author: Ketan Patel, [email protected]
Purpose
Acne vulgaris is chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the pilosebaceous unit with increased sebum production and proliferation of bacteria like Staphylococcus epidermidis (S.epidermis) and Cutibacterium acne (C.acne). Conventional topical therapies often face challenges such as limited transportation of drug within the pilosebaceous unit, irritation, and inadequate drug retention. Orlistat, a lipase inhibitor, can be potential therapeutic for treatment of acne by inhibiting bacterial lipase driven inflammation, however its bioavailability is limited by poor hydrophilicity. In this study, Orlistat-loaded liposomal(Nano-Orlis) dissolving microneedle system was developed to enhance localized drug penetration into the pilosebaceous units. Ethyl lauroyl arginate was employed as cationic surfactant to potentiate antimicrobial effects. The study aimed to (1) formulate and characterize Nano-Orlis,(2) fabricate dissolving microneedles incorporating Nano-Orlis, and(3) evaluation of anti-microbial, mechanical and insertion characteristics of Nano-Orlis dissolving microneeedle.
Methods
Nano-Orlis was prepared by modified thin-film hydration followed by size reduction via Nano-milling. Particle size(PS),polydispersity index(PDI),and zeta potential(ZP) of Nano-Orlis was characterized using Malvern Zetasizer. Nano-Orlis was then incorporated into polymeric microneedle matrix using solvent casting method. Mechanical strength and insertion efficiency were assessed by texture analyzer and ex-vivo porcine skin penetration was captured by digital camera respectively. In-vitro microbial activity against S. epidermis was determined using agar diffusion method. Ongoing antimicrobial studies include evaluation of its therapeutic potential against C. acne(ATCC 6919) and in-vitro lipase inhibitory assay.
Results
Nano-Orlis exhibited PS of 136.9±3.45nm with PDI 0.177±0.02 and ZP of +36.1±0.5mV, confirming uniform stable liposomes. Parafilm® tests revealed that Nano-Orlis microneedles were able to fully insert up to depth of 450 µm, with fracture force 30N/array(0.83N/needle) demonstrating sufficient mechanical strength for reliable skin penetration without breakage. This suggests that microneedles can effectively breach the stratum corneum and deliver their payload into the pilosebaceous units in acne therapy. Agar diffusion against S. epidermidis revealed 1.8 ± 0.2 cm inhibition zone for Nano-Orlis microneedle whereas no inhibition was observed for blank microneedle proving anti-microbial efficacy.
Conclusion
The Nano-Orlis microneedle platform represents a promising transdermal system for acne therapy. Preliminary characterization confirms favorable mechanical properties enabling effective skin insertion as well as therapeutic efficacy for treatment of acne vulgaris.
Keywords
Acne Vulgaris, Ethyl lauroyl arginate, Liposome, Microneedle, Orlistat
Poster 18 Abstract
Nano-Orlis Microneedle Delivery System for treatment of Acne Vulgaris
Priyanka Panchal, Christopher Hlordzi, Sabesan Yoganathan, Ketan Patel
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
Presenting Author: Priyanka Panchal
Corresponding Author: Ketan Patel, [email protected]
Purpose
Acne vulgaris is chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the pilosebaceous unit with increased sebum production and proliferation of bacteria like Staphylococcus epidermidis (S.epidermis) and Cutibacterium acne (C.acne). Conventional topical therapies often face challenges such as limited transportation of drug within the pilosebaceous unit, irritation, and inadequate drug retention. Orlistat, a lipase inhibitor, can be potential therapeutic for treatment of acne by inhibiting bacterial lipase driven inflammation, however its bioavailability is limited by poor hydrophilicity. In this study, Orlistat-loaded liposomal(Nano-Orlis) dissolving microneedle system was developed to enhance localized drug penetration into the pilosebaceous units. Ethyl lauroyl arginate was employed as cationic surfactant to potentiate antimicrobial effects. The study aimed to (1) formulate and characterize Nano-Orlis,(2) fabricate dissolving microneedles incorporating Nano-Orlis, and(3) evaluation of anti-microbial, mechanical and insertion characteristics of Nano-Orlis dissolving microneeedle.
Methods
Nano-Orlis was prepared by modified thin-film hydration followed by size reduction via Nano-milling. Particle size(PS),polydispersity index(PDI),and zeta potential(ZP) of Nano-Orlis was characterized using Malvern Zetasizer. Nano-Orlis was then incorporated into polymeric microneedle matrix using solvent casting method. Mechanical strength and insertion efficiency were assessed by texture analyzer and ex-vivo porcine skin penetration was captured by digital camera respectively. In-vitro microbial activity against S. epidermis was determined using agar diffusion method. Ongoing antimicrobial studies include evaluation of its therapeutic potential against C. acne(ATCC 6919) and in-vitro lipase inhibitory assay.
Results
Nano-Orlis exhibited PS of 136.9±3.45nm with PDI 0.177±0.02 and ZP of +36.1±0.5mV, confirming uniform stable liposomes. Parafilm® tests revealed that Nano-Orlis microneedles were able to fully insert up to depth of 450 µm, with fracture force 30N/array(0.83N/needle) demonstrating sufficient mechanical strength for reliable skin penetration without breakage. This suggests that microneedles can effectively breach the stratum corneum and deliver their payload into the pilosebaceous units in acne therapy. Agar diffusion against S. epidermidis revealed 1.8 ± 0.2 cm inhibition zone for Nano-Orlis microneedle whereas no inhibition was observed for blank microneedle proving anti-microbial efficacy.
Conclusion
The Nano-Orlis microneedle platform represents a promising transdermal system for acne therapy. Preliminary characterization confirms favorable mechanical properties enabling effective skin insertion as well as therapeutic efficacy for treatment of acne vulgaris.
Keywords
Acne Vulgaris, Ethyl lauroyl arginate, Liposome, Microneedle, Orlistat
