Natural Biodegradable Polymer-Based Microneedles for Controlled Drug Delivery: A Rational Design Framework and Translational Perspectives
This review systematically surveys recent advances in natural biodegradable polymer-based microneedle drug delivery systems in terms of material selection, fabrication strategies, and controlled release mechanisms, and introduces a rational design framework that systematically integrates therapeutic objectives, polymer properties, mechanical performance, and release kinetics, while discussing translational challenges such as mechanical limitations, manufacturing scalability, stability concerns, and regulatory considerations, as well as emerging trends including stimuli-responsive systems, nanocarrier integration, personalized drug delivery, and data-driven strategies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, arguing for a shift from empirical formulation toward a predictive, en