Ethylcellulose-based drug nano depots fabricated using a modified triaxial electrospinning

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Advanced technologies are crucial for expanding biological macromolecule applications.
• Developing novel drug delivery systems with controlled release profiles is essential for precise administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate core-shell nanofiber depots using a triaxial electrospinning technique.
• To investigate the drug release profiles of the developed core-shell nanofiber depots compared to monolithic nanofibers.
• To establish a process-structure-performance relationship at the nanoscale for advanced material applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a triaxial electrospinning apparatus to prepare monolithic nanofibers (F1) and core-shell nanofiber depots (F2).
• Employed ethyl cellulose as the filament-forming polymeric matrix and ketoprofen as the model drug.
• Analyzed the drug release kinetics and characterized the nanostructures of the prepared materials.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared monolithic nanofibers (F1) and core-shell nanofiber depots (F2) with identical components but distinct nanostructures.
• Core-shell nanofiber depots (F2) demonstrated a superior zero-order drug release profile, characterized by no initial burst release and a smooth, sustained release effect.
• The drug release from F2 followed a linear relationship with time (Q = 9.40 + 4.74t, R=0.9936), enabling precise drug administration.

Conclusions:

• The developed core-shell nanofiber depots offer a promising platform for controlled and precise drug delivery.
• The advanced triaxial electrospinning technique provides a novel approach for constructing materials with tailored properties.
• This strategy facilitates the establishment of nanoscale process-structure-performance relationships, expanding the potential applications of biological macromolecules.