The influence of barrier discharge by microplasma drug delivery system probe on cell viability and intracellular drug absorption

One of plasma medicines greatest accomplishments is the non-invasive drug delivery to cells, tissue, and small animals. Little to no reports has been recorded for intranasal drug delivery with air microplasma at atmospheric condition. This study presents a new design of dielectric barrier discharge microplasma referred to microplasma drug delivery system (DDS) probe for delivery of high molecular weight into DBC1.2 cell line. It is designed by winding a thin wire electrode (ground) around another thin wire electrode (high voltage) coated with a dielectric material. At room condition, the discharge characteristics of this reactor is investigated by activating the peak-to-peak voltage sine waveform. The frequent discharge current affects the dominance of the plasma discharge. The discharge power when the probe is activated at 2 kV, 3 kV, 4 kV, is evaluated, along with its impact on pH of the culture medium, ozone concentration and hydroxyl radicals generated in the medium. Furthermore, the impact of the discharge on cellular processes like growth and viability is accessed alone and during the delivery of FD-70 and FD-150 (MW:70 kDa and 150 kDa) through the intracellular membrane of the cell line. A high delivery of drug was observed in 3 kV and 4 kV discharge voltage. The highest delivery was recorded in 4 kV while 2 kV had similar drug uptake as control. The result of cell growth and viability suggests that the discharge does not show negative impact but rather within the concentration that regulate cellular processes leading to drug permeation and cell growth.