Hyaluronic Acid-Based Dissolving Microneedles: An Innovative Transdermal Approach for Osteoarthritis Management

Osteoarthritis (OA), a leading cause of disability worldwide, is characterized by the progressive degeneration of articular cartilage and inflammation of synovial tissues. Current therapies—including NSAIDs and intra-articular injections—are palliative and often associated with systemic side effects and invasiveness. Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) present a non-invasive alternative, yet are hindered by the stratum corneum barrier. Microneedle (MN) technology has emerged as a minimally invasive strategy capable of bypassing this barrier for efficient drug delivery. This review explores the integration of hyaluronic acid (HA), a key component of synovial fluid, into dissolving MNs for localized OA treatment. HA provides intrinsic therapeutic benefits including joint lubrication, anti-inflammatory activity, and chondroprotection. Fabricated using polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), HA-based dissolving MNs offer dual functionality as both drug and delivery matrix. We detail the preformulation, fabrication, and evaluation of HA MNs, highlighting morphological, physicochemical, and mechanical assessments. The review underscores the therapeutic potential and translational promise of HA-MNs in OA management and discusses future research directions.