Exploring Functionalized Magnetic Hydrogel Polyvinyl Alcohol and Chitosan Electrospun Nanofibers

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Nanofibrous materials offer high surface area and reactivity, making them suitable for drug delivery and biomolecule targeting.
• Lysozyme (Lys) is an enzyme with potential therapeutic applications, but its delivery needs optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop magnetized nanofiber systems loaded with lysozyme (Lys) for enhanced biological applications.
• To functionalize nanofibers with magnetic nanoparticles (IONPs) and boronic acids for targeted delivery.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and PVA/chitosan (CS) nanofibers loaded with Lys.
• Crosslinking with phenylboronic acid (PBA) derivatives and functionalization with IONPs.
• Morphological analysis via SEM, biological activity assessment using Micrococcus lysodeikticus, and in vitro release studies.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated magnetized PVA and PVA/CS nanofibers loaded with Lys.
• Demonstrated biological activity of Lys-loaded nanofibers against Micrococcus lysodeikticus.
• Evaluated Lys adsorption, activity, and in vitro release under simulated cancer cell conditions.
• Assessed the viability of Caco-2 cancer cells upon exposure to the developed nanofiber systems.

Conclusions:

• Magnetized nanofiber systems incorporating lysozyme were successfully developed.
• The functionalized nanofibers show promise for controlled release and targeted delivery in biological applications.
• Further investigation is warranted for therapeutic applications, particularly in cancer treatment.