Dexmedetomidine-Loaded Hydrogel Microneedles Alleviate Acute Inflammatory Visceral Pain in Mice

The study introduces a novel approach for treating acute inflammatory visceral pain (AIVP) using dexmedetomidine-loaded hyaluronic acid hydrogel microneedles (MN/Dex). This method offers a minimally invasive, patient-friendly alternative to traditional intravenous administration, which can be uncomfortable and pose infection risks. The microneedles enable efficient skin penetration and controlled drug release, demonstrating excellent biocompatibility in biosafety evaluations. In a mouse model of AIVP, MN/Dex significantly reduced pain without causing sedation or affecting normal behaviors, suggesting its potential to improve outpatient management and quality of life for patients with AIVP.