Development and Characterization of Levodopa Microneedle Patches for Parkinson’s Disease

Date of Award

2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences

First Advisor

Yujin Kim, PharmD, Ph.D,

Second Advisor

Xinyu (Eric) Wang, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Shu Zhu, Ph.D., M.D.

Abstract

Levodopa, co-administered with the dopa decarboxylase inhibitor carbidopa, remains the gold standard for treating Parkinson's Disease; however, due to rapid degradation, only about 1% of orally administered levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier.

This study developed and validated a robust high-performance liquid chromatography method to quantify levodopa, achieving reliable linearity across multiple replicates. Various buffer systems and pH conditions were tested, with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at pH 6 and supplemented with glutamic acid hydrochloride offering the most stable environment. With stability confirmed, levodopa was successfully incorporated into a hydrogel matrix using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and hydrogel-forming microneedles using poly(methyl vinyl ether/maleic acid), polyethylene glycol, and sodium bicarbonate. These microneedles demonstrated sufficient mechanical strength to penetrate Parafilm “M” skin simulants, suggesting potential for effective skin permeation.

This work represents a significant step toward creating an alternative levodopa delivery system that could reduce gastrointestinal side effects, improve patient adherence, and offer more consistent plasma drug levels, thereby alleviating the motor fluctuations common with oral levodopa therapy. Although not curative, the finding supports further investigation into in vitro permeation studies and eventual clinical translation of microneedle-based patch system for Parkinson’s disease management.

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