Electrospun PLA/chitosan/PEG nanofibers for controlled delivery of ethyl p-methoxycinnamate

Electrospun nanofibers have attracted considerable attention as drug delivery platforms due to their high surface area, interconnected porosity, and tunable structure. Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC), a bioactive cinnamate derivative from Kaempferia galanga, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, but its direct application may be limited by poor stability and uncontrolled release behavior. Incorporating EPMC into biodegradable electrospun polymer systems may improve its delivery performance.

In this study, EPMC-loaded poly(lactic acid)/chitosan/polyethylene glycol (PLA/CS/PEG) nanofiber membranes were fabricated by electrospinning. Formulation composition and processing parameters were systematically evaluated. The resulting nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, and mechanical testing. Drug loading efficiency and in vitro release behavior were evaluated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, and release kinetics were analyzed using zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas models.

Stable electrospinning conditions were obtained at 10 wt% PLA, 0.5 wt% chitosan, 1.0 wt% PEG, 20 kV applied voltage, 15 cm tip-to-collector distance, and a feed rate of 1.0 mL h^-1. Drug incorporation resulted in a gradual increase in fiber diameter and markedly improved membrane wettability, while slightly reducing mechanical strength. Encapsulation efficiency decreased with increasing EPMC loading. The nanofiber membranes exhibited sustained drug release over 24 h, reaching approximately 51% cumulative release for the 15 wt% formulation. Kinetic analysis indicated that EPMC release followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, suggesting a combined diffusion-relaxation mechanism.

These findings demonstrate that PLA/CS/PEG electrospun nanofibers provide an effective biodegradable carrier for controlled delivery of EPMC. The selected PLA/CS/PEG nanofiber membrane represents a promising biodegradable platform for controlled delivery of bioactive natural compounds such as EPMC.