Controlled release of liposome-encapsulated Naproxen from core-sheath electrospun nanofibers

Naproxen (NAP) loaded nanofibers of different structures have been successfully prepared by electrospinning. The structures of the nanofibers are NAP and cellulose acetate (CA) mixed nanofibers (NF-1), nanofibers with NAP/CA mixed core and CA sheath (NF-2), and NAP loaded liposomes and sodium hyaluronate (HA-Na) mixed core with CA sheath (NF-3). The structure and morphology of the nanofibers were characterized and the drug release behaviors were investigated. It was found that NAP can disperse in the HA-Na or CA matrix in molecular level without formation of NAP crystals and dimers. The drug release behaviors of NF-1 and NF-2 show a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism, while the NF-3 shows a specific drug release behavior with a burst release within 8h followed by a sustained drug release for 12 days. The particular two-stage drug release behavior of NF-3 nanofibers offers the materials promising applications as wound dressing materials.