Polyaniline-coated titanium oxide nanoparticles and simvastatin-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) composite nanofibers...

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers loaded with polyaniline coated titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO₂/PANI) and simvastatin (SIM) drug were produced by the electrospinning method. As-prepared samples were investigated in terms of morphology characterization, mechanical properties, physiochemical properties, drug release, biomimetic mineralization, and biocompatibility. in vitro drug release studies were conducted in the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at pH 7.4. The results suggest that varying the concentrations of TiO₂/PANI nanoparticles could change the rate of drug release. The release mechanism was studied using several kinetic models, including the Higuchi model, the Hixson-Crowell model, and the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, to clarify the mechanism of SIM release from the composite nanofibers. The assessment of in vitro mineralization of the composite nanofibers for the growth of hydroxyapatite was performed in simulated body fluid (SBF). Field scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) imagery and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses indicated that after soaking in SBF, a hydroxyapatite layer was formed on the surface of the nanofibrous webs. These novel composite nanofibers release simvastatin in a controlled manner with profound cell proliferation and attachment compared to that in pure PCL nanofiber, which indicates their potential for bone regeneration applications.