American Society of Hirudotherapy

Microneedle patch-assisted transdermal administration of recombinant hirudin for the treatment of thrombotic diseases

Drug delivery research published in International Journal of Pharmaceutics (2021)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Research reportDrug DevelopmentSalivary PharmacologyMen Z et al. · International journal of pharmaceutics, 2021

Abstract

The painless microneedle patch (MNP), widely explored for transdermal drug delivery of macromolecules, can overcome the limitations of traditional administrations of protein and polypeptide anticoagulant drugs. We constructed a recombinant hirudin-loaded microneedle patch, suitable for patients with thrombotic diseases requiring long-term preventive medication. The recombinant hirudin-loaded dissoluble microneedle patch (RHDMNP) was created using a mold casting technique and polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohol were used as the matrix material with a 1:1.2 ratio. We prepared bilayer RHDMNPs with pyramidal appearance and 0.37 N/needle strength. The intradermal dissolution height of the microneedle reached approximately 78.67% of the total height, and 68.12% of the drug was delivered into the skin. The 12-hour cumulative permeation of the MNP was 21.69 ± 3.90 μg/cm2. The MNP showed a Tmax of 1.5 h, Cmax of 144 ± 71 ng/mL, and area under curve (AUC) of 495 ± 66 ng/mL·min compared to Tmax of 0.5 h, Cmax of 249 ± 89 ng/mL, and AUC of 944 ± 65 ng/mL·min for the subcutaneous injection group. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the RHDMNP exerted effective anticoagulant effects, prevented the incidence of acute pulmonary embolism, and revealed the potential for venous thrombosis prevention.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal Article
Indexed MeSH termsAdministration, CutaneousDrug Delivery SystemsHirudinsHumansNeedlesSkin Absorption

Summary

Dissolving-microneedle delivery platform for recombinant hirudin demonstrating sustained transdermal absorption and effective anticoagulation in a rat thrombosis model.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study constructed a recombinant hirudin-loaded dissolvable microneedle patch (RHDMNP) using polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohol for transdermal delivery, characterizing its mechanical strength, intradermal dissolution (~78.67% of height), drug delivery (~68.12%), and pharmacokinetics (Tmax 1.5 h, Cmax 144 ± 71 ng/mL) versus subcutaneous injection. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed the patch exerted anticoagulant effects and potential for venous thrombosis prevention. This is relevant to ASH's domain as it directly uses recombinant hirudin in a delivery system for thrombotic disease. CAVEAT: The abstract reports in vivo and in vitro data without specifying species or confirming clinical efficacy in humans; the abstract does not describe hirudin's biological origin.

Citation

Microneedle patch-assisted transdermal administration of recombinant hirudin for the treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Men Z et al. · International journal of pharmaceutics, 2021

Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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