Science and Technology Indonesia
Vol. 11 No. 3 (2026): July

PVA/PVP Dissolving Microneedle Arrays Loaded with Parameria laevigata Extract: Formulation and Characterization for Transdermal Anti-Acne Therapy

Angga Yasir (Cosmetic Engineering Study Program, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia)
Siwi Nurbaiti (Cosmetic Engineering Study Program, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia)
Jenifer Kolina (Cosmetic Engineering Study Program, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia)
Amalia Lathifah Widiadari (Cosmetic Engineering Study Program, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia)
Harmiansyah (Centre for Advanced Composite Materials (CACM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor, 81310, Malaysia)
Muhammad Asyraf Muhammad Rizal (Centre for Advanced Composite Materials (CACM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor, 81310, Malaysia)
Melbi Mahardika (Research Center for Biomass and Bioproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Serpong, South Tangerang, 15314, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
21 Jun 2026

Abstract

Despite the well-documented antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Parameria laevigata (kayu rapet) bark, its incorporation into a dissolving microneedle (DMN) platform for transdermal acne therapy has not been previously investigated. This study developed and characterized PVA/PVP-based DMN arrays loaded with P. laevigata extract as a minimally invasive delivery system targeting acne-associated pathogens. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction in 95% ethanol yielded a phytochemical-rich extract (8.68%) containing flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids, with strong antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 = 40.98 ± 4.32 ppm; ABTS IC50 = 46.92 ± 3.25 ppm; FRAP = 70.24 ± 6.41 mg AAE/g extract) and moderate antibacterial activity against Acne vulgaris-associated bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Cutibacterium acnes at 100–150 ppm (inhibition zone: 8.22–8.46 mm). Eight DMN formulations were fabricated at a fixed 30% w/w PVA/PVP total polymer concentration with 5% extract loading. The optimized formulation (F2) produced a complete 49-needle pyramidal array with adequate mechanical integrity for stratum corneum penetration, confirmed polymer–extract physicochemical compatibility by FTIR, and exhibited Korsmeyer–Peppas release kinetics with a diffusion-controlled mechanism reaching 56.48% cumulative release over 24 h. These findings establish P. laevigata-loaded DMN arrays as a viable proof-of-concept platform for transdermal acne therapy, warranting further ex vivo permeation and in vivo efficacy validation.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JSTI

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Environmental Science Materials Science & Nanotechnology Physics

Description

An international Peer-review journal in the field of science and technology published by The Indonesian Science and Technology Society. Science and Technology Indonesia is a member of Crossref with DOI prefix number: 10.26554/sti. Science and Technology Indonesia publishes quarterly (January, April, ...