Microneedle Patch Loaded with Metabolized Elastin-Complexed Ceria Nanoparticles for Oral Ulcer Treatment

Oral ulcers are prevalent oral health issues with a high recurrence rate that substantially impair oral and systemic health. However, current therapies for oral ulcers are limited to symptom relief without addressing its fundamental pathophysiology. Additionally, their treatment efficacy is limited by reduced bioavailability due to the dynamic environment of oral cavity and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-rich microenvironment of ulcer bed. Here, we develop a microneedle patch system designed to locally deliver metabolized elastin-complexed ceria nanoparticles (mEl-Ce) and triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for combination treatment of oral ulcers. Elastin, an elastic protein fiber and a major component of the extracellular matrix, is metabolized to facilitate the formation of ceria nanoparticles and becomes integrated with them as a complex, termed mEl-Ce. The synthetic corticosteroid TA is cod…