Electrospun nanofiber mats for ultrafast release of ondansetron

Abstract

Nanofiber mats or films are promising platforms that can offer unique opportunities in oromucosoal drug delivery. However, the conventional film forming technologies are unable to produce mats with unique internal microstructure and properties. Thus, the present study was aimed to develop electrospun nanofiber mats of a model drug — ondansetron hydrochloride (OND) — for ultrafast drug release. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a water soluble synthetic polymer was used in the preparation of nanofiber mats and casting film. The OND nanofiber mats and conventional films were prepared by electrospinning and casting methods, respectively. Different electrospinning process variables (feed rate, electric voltage and tip to collector distance) were investigated. Nanofiber mats and casted films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The folding endurance, drug content, wetting behavior and disintegration properties and in-vitro drug release studies were also performed.The SEM and AFM had revealed that the nanofiber mats were formed with smooth uniform texture. Solid state studies indicated that the OND was in amorphous state and uniformly dispersed in PVA mats and a film. The electrospun nanofiber mat and casted film of OND showed sufficient mechanical properties. Wet sponge method suggested that OND nanofiber mats were simultaneously wetted and disintegrated within 10s, which is ultrafast compared to casted films. The total amount of OND was released in 90s (1.5min) and 1800s (30min) from OND–PVA electrospun nanofiber mats and casted film, respectively. OND nanofiber mats can be promising alternatives to existing solid dosage forms for ultrafast release of drugs.