Electrospun Doxorubicin-loaded PEO/PCL core/sheath nanofibers for chemopreventive action against breast cancer cells

Abstract

In the present study, polyethylene oxide (PEO)/polycaprolactone (PCL) core/sheath nanofibers were prepared via co-axial electrospinning method. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) was loaded into the core section of the electrospun nanofibers and their sustained drug release and the cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines were evaluated. The PEO/PCL core/sheath nanofibers were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, their tensile strength and degradation behavior were investigated. In-vitro release of DOX from the nanofibers in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at pH = 7.4 and its release kinetics were also evaluated. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the pristine and DOX loaded nanofibers was investigated. The degradation rate of the fiber mats was slow, indicating that the drug release was controlled by diffusion process. Nearly 20–30% of the drug was released at first day and till 28 days up to 60% of the drug was released. Their cell viability toward the MCF-7 breast cancer cells was examined via MTT assay at 1, 3, and 8 day. They showed no toxicity effect. Also, our results revealed high activity of the DOX-loaded core/sheath nanofibers against the MCF-7 breast cancer cells.