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The release of metformin, a drug used in the treatment of cancer and diabetes, from poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate), pHEMA, hydrogel‐based microneedle patches is demonstrated in vitro. Tuning the composition of the pHEMA hydrogels enables preparation of robust microneedle patches with mechanical properties such that they would penetrate skin (insertion force of a single microneedle to be ≈40 N). Swelling experiments conducted at 20, 35, and 60 °C show temperature‐dependent degrees of swelling and diffusion kinetics. Drug release from the pHEMA hydrogel‐based microneedles is fitted to various models (e.g., zero order, first order, second order). Such pHEMA microneedles have potential application for transdermal delivery of metformin for the treatment of aging, cancer, diabetes, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug interactions with phospholipid bilayers underpin their behaviour in cell membranes and in liposomal delivery formulations. Liposomal drug delivery in ocular medicine can overcome the physical barriers of the eye and better enable the active molecule to reach its target. Here, Raman and 19F solid‐state NMR spectroscopy are used to characterise the interactions of two ocular corticosteroid drugs, difluprednate (DFP) and fluorometholone (FML), with multilamellar vesicles of phosphatidylcholine (PC). 31P NMR confirms that the lipid bilayer tolerates a high drug concentration (a drug: lipid molar ratio of 1 : 10). The 19F NMR spectra of the drugs in lipid bilayers reveal that FML and DFP have different average orientations within the lipid bilayer. Raman spectra of dried lipid films reveal that PC separates from DFP but not from FML, the less lipophilic of the two drugs. This combined approach will assist the design of, and inform the development of, improved liposomal preparations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]