Quercetin/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex embedded nanofibres: Slow release and high solubility

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:

• Quercetin (QU) is a potent antioxidant with limited solubility and stability.
• Beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) can form inclusion complexes to enhance drug solubility and stability.
• Polyacrylic acid (PAA) nanofibres offer a versatile platform for drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop electrospun PAA nanofibres incorporating a quercetin/β-CD inclusion complex (QU/β-CD-IC).
• To utilize β-CD as both a crosslinking agent for PAA and a host for QU.
• To evaluate the solubility, morphology, release profile, antioxidant activity, and photostability of QU within the nanofibres.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of PAA, QU, and β-CD.
• Phase solubility tests to determine QU/β-CD stoichiometry.
• Computational modeling for complex formation analysis.
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for morphology.
• X-ray Diffraction (XRD) for structural analysis.
• In vitro release studies and antioxidant activity assays.

Main Results:

• Enhanced solubility of QU through β-CD complexation with a 1:1 stoichiometry.
• Formation of uniform, bead-free PAA/QU/β-CD-IC nanofibres (NF).
• Amorphous nature of the nanofibres, confirmed by XRD.
• Slower and greater total release of QU from nanofibres compared to films.
• Significant improvement in QU's antioxidant activity and photostability within the nanofibres.

Conclusions:

• Electrospun PAA/QU/β-CD-IC nanofibres are an effective system for enhancing quercetin's solubility, stability, and bioavailability.
• The developed nanofibres demonstrate controlled release properties, suitable for drug delivery applications.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for improving the therapeutic potential of quercetin.