Table 1 Materials for constructing microneedles and their properties
S/N. | Material for fabricating microneedles | Property | References |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Silicon | Biocompatible, low toxicity, brittle (functionalization with metals like gold is required), and production requires sterile conditions | |
2 | Metals | Durable, tough, stronger than silicon and less prone to breakage | [61] |
3 | Sugars | Safe and biodegradable | [63] |
4 | Hyaluronic acid | Anionic and water soluble | |
5 | Cellulose | Viscosity modifier, adhesive, emulsifier, and coating agent | |
6 | Starch | Biodegradable, easy to use, film-forming, brittle but can be strengthened by functionalization using polymers, transparent, and stable | [63] |
7 | Chitosan | Acidic, cationic, safe, biodegradable, and biocompatible | |
8 | Polymers | Safe, biodegradable, biocompatible, resilient, pliable, ductile, and stable | |
9 | Glass | Easy to use and sterilize, biocompatible, stable to high temperature and pressure | |
10 | Ceramics | Physically and chemically inert, easy to produce, and biocompatible |