Abstract
Over the past several decades, the formulation of novel nanofiber-based drug-delivery systems has been a frequent focus of scientists around the world. Aiming to introduce a novel nanofibrous transdermal drug-delivery system to treat pain, the nanofiber mats of buprenorphine-loaded poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (Bup/PVP) and buprenorphine-loaded poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (Bup/PVP/PVA) were successfully fabricated by the electrospinning process for transdermal drug delivery. Similarly, PVP and PVP/PVA nanofibers were fabricated in the same conditions for comparison. The viscosity and electrical conductivity of all electrospinning solutions were measured, and nanofiber mats were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and contact angle analysis. The conductivity of PVP and PVP/PVA solutions showed a considerable increase by the addition of buprenorphine due to the polarity of buprenorphine. SEM images showed a smooth, fine and porous nanofibrous structure without any adhesion or knot for all of the samples. The contact angle analysis showed the increased hydrophilicity and wettability of PVP/PVA and Bup/PVP/PVA nanofibers compared to PVP and Bup/PVP nanofibers which can be attributed to the addition of PVA. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FT-IR results confirmed that the electrospinning process did not affect the chemical integrity of the drug. For the modification of the drug release rate, the cross-linking of nanofiber mats was carried out using glutaraldehyde. Drug release measurements using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis demonstrated that Bup/PVP/PVA nanofibers exhibited better physical and chemical properties compared to Bup/PVP. Furthermore, the cross-linking of nanofibers led to an increase in drug release time. Thus, the novel buprenorphine-loaded nanofibers can be efficient biomaterial patches for transdermal delivery against pain improving carrier retention and providing a controlled release of the drug.
Highlights
The efficient delivery of drug molecules within the recommended therapeutic level to the target cell, tissue or organ for a defined period of time at a required dose and rate as well as the distribution of associated drugs using appropriate drug carriers to provide sustained release systems are the basic goals of drug-delivery systems (DDS) [1]
Recent efforts have led to the development of a new approach in the field of controlled transdermal drug delivery systems (TDS) with the creation of nano-sized biodegradable polymeric carriers [2,3]
In order to reduce the stress of frequent handling and injection as well as to introduce new sustained release Buprenorphine hydrochloride (Bup) patches and evaluate the feasibility of using such nanofiber mats as a potential TDS, this study aimed to prepare Bup-loaded electrospun nanofiber mats of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and PVP/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by electrospinning
Summary
The efficient delivery of drug molecules within the recommended therapeutic level to the target cell, tissue or organ for a defined period of time at a required dose and rate as well as the distribution of associated drugs using appropriate drug carriers to provide sustained release systems are the basic goals of drug-delivery systems (DDS) [1]. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the effect of cross-linking or addition of drugs with lower solubility in water on PVA/PVP nanofibers has not been studied yet. In order to reduce the stress of frequent handling and injection as well as to introduce new sustained release Bup patches and evaluate the feasibility of using such nanofiber mats as a potential TDS, this study aimed to prepare Bup-loaded electrospun nanofiber mats of PVP and PVP/PVA by electrospinning. Even though PVA is known as a low-cost, nontoxic and biocompatible carrier, the management of drug release in PVA-based nanofibers is difficult because of high water solubility and the high hydrophilicity of this polymer.
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