A dual approach using PEGylated nanocarriers and microneedles to enhance transdermal delivery of macromolecular proteins from goat placenta extract

Goat placenta (GP) extract contains bioactive macromolecules that stimulate skin cell growth; however, the transdermal delivery of hydrophilic macromolecules remains limited. This study aimed to develop PEGylated nanocarriers combined with microneedles (MN) as a transdermal delivery approach for macromolecular proteins from GP extract. PEGylated liposomes (P-LI) and PEGylated nanoparticles (P-NP) were formulated to entrap GP extract and subsequently combined with MN patches. In vitro permeation studies and pathway visualization were conducted using bovine serum albumin–fluorescein isothiocyanate (BSA-FITC) as a model protein. The GP extract-loaded P-LI exhibited the highest protein entrapment efficiency, uniform nanovesicle formation, narrow size distribution, and negative surface charge, making it the optimal candidate for MN loading. The P-LI-loaded MN system enhanced both skin permeation and dermal deposition of the macromolecular proteins, resulting in their accumulation in the deeper skin layers. In conclusion, the P-LI–MN system provides an effective platform for the transdermal delivery of hydrophilic macromolecules from GP extract.