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Biodegradable electrospun fibers for drug delivery
Jing Zeng1, Xiaoyi Xu, Xuesi Chen
1State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
Summary
Surfactants and drugs significantly reduce poly(L-lactic acid) fiber diameter and improve uniformity. Drug-loaded PLLA fibers exhibit near zero-order release kinetics due to degradation, suggesting future clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Polymer Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Electrospinning produces ultrafine fibers for various applications.
- Controlling fiber diameter and uniformity is crucial for material performance.
- Drug encapsulation within fibers requires optimized fabrication methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of surfactants and drugs on poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) electrospun fiber characteristics.
- To analyze drug encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics from PLLA fibers.
- To explore the potential clinical applications of drug-loaded PLLA ultrafine fiber mats.
Main Methods:
- Poly(L-lactic acid) solutions were prepared with various cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants.
- Typical medical drugs were incorporated into the PLLA solutions.
- Electrospinning was employed to fabricate ultrafine fibers.
- Fiber diameter, uniformity, and drug release kinetics (in the presence of proteinase K) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Surfactants and drugs significantly reduced fiber diameter and improved uniformity.
- Drugs were successfully encapsulated within the PLLA fibers.
- Drug release followed nearly zero-order kinetics, attributed to PLLA degradation by proteinase K.
Conclusions:
- Surfactant and drug incorporation are effective strategies for tailoring PLLA electrospun fiber properties.
- Drug-loaded PLLA ultrafine fibers demonstrate controlled release profiles.
- These materials hold promise for future clinical applications in drug delivery.