Synergistic immunoreaction of acupuncture-like dissolving microneedles containing thymopentin at acupoints in immune-suppressed rats

Publication date: Available online 1 February 2018 Source:Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B Author(s): Qian Zhang, Chuncao Xu, Shiqi Lin, Huanbin Zhou, Gangtao Yao, Hu Liu, Lili Wang, Xin Pan, Guilan Quan, Chuanbin Wu Dissolving microneedles carried drug molecules can effectively penetrate the stratum corneum of skin to improve the transdermal drug delivery. The traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture is based on the needle stimulation at a specific location (acupoint) to generate and transmit biochemical and physiological signals which alter the pathophysiological state of patients. However, the pain associated with conventional acupuncture needles and the requirement of highly trained professionals limit the development of acupuncture in non-Asian countries. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the dissolving microneedles can be utilized as a self-administered painless replacement for acupuncture and locally released drug molecules can achieve expected therapeutic outcomes. Immunosuppressive rats were treated with acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint using microneedles containing thymopentin. The immune functions and psychological mood of the immunosuppressed animals were examined. The proliferation of splenocytes was examined by CCK-8 assay. CD4 and CD8 expression patterns in spleen cells were detected by flow cytometry. The current study showed that use of either microneedles containing thymopentin or conventional acupuncture both resulted in immun...

Source: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B - February 2, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research