Poly(lactic Acid) Fibers for Sustained Drug Delivery: Insights into Release Profiles and Cellular Interactions

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Polymer-based drug delivery systems offer controlled and targeted release of therapeutics.
• Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a versatile and biocompatible polymer extensively used in biomedical applications.
• Developing effective drug delivery platforms is crucial for enhancing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the release kinetics of dexamethasone and clobetasol propionate from PLA fibers.
• To evaluate the influence of cellular environment (fibroblasts) on drug release from PLA systems.
• To assess the potential of PLA fibrous membranes as a controlled drug delivery system.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PLA fibrous membranes for drug encapsulation.
• Analysis of drug release profiles over 24 hours using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
• Intracellular recovery tests to determine drug uptake by fibroblasts.

Main Results:

• Sustained and continuous release of both dexamethasone and clobetasol propionate from PLA fibers was observed.
• Clobetasol propionate showed a slower release rate compared to dexamethasone, attributed to its lower water solubility.
• The presence of fibroblasts did not significantly alter the drug release kinetics from the PLA fibers.
• Intracellular drug concentrations were below the limit of quantification, indicating limited cellular uptake or detection challenges.

Conclusions:

• PLA fibrous membranes demonstrate potential for sustained and controlled drug delivery.
• Further optimization is required to enhance drug release and improve intracellular quantification for therapeutic applications.
• This study provides valuable insights into the performance of polymer-based drug delivery systems in a cellular context.