Fabrication and characterization of progesterone loaded pullulan nanofibers for controlled release

Abstract

Progesterone is a commonly used drug in humans and livestock that possesses huge therapeutic potential in the regulation of pregnancy and fertility in females. The hydrophobicity and need for prolonged therapy of progesterone restrict the exploitation of its therapeutic potential to the fullest. Recently, polymeric nanofibers have evolved as interesting drug carriers, especially for hydrophobic drugs. The present study aimed to encapsulate the hydrophobic drug progesterone in pullulan by electrospinning for controlled delivery. The progesterone was successfully incorporated in pullulan nanofibers and the mean fiber diameter ranged from 68.68 ± 9.71 to 123.12 ± 17.41 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the interaction of the drug with the polymer. The zeta potential of progesterone loaded pullulan nanofibers ranged from 0.4 ± 0.01 to −0.5 ± 0.01 indicating suitability for transmucosal delivery. The hydrodynamic diameter of progesterone loaded pullulan nanofibers were significantly (p < 0.05) lesser than the pullulan nanofibers which may promote better drug adsorption and permeation. The cumulative drug release profile indicated prolonged release of progesterone for 7 days from pullulan nanofibers. The kinetic modelling of the drug release revealed Fickian diffusion of progesterone from the polymeric matrix. Cytotoxicity assay revealed optimal survivability of Baby Hamster Kidney cells (60.51 ± 5.81 to 72.39 ± 0.53 %) on exposure to progesterone loaded pullulan nanofibers ensuring biocompatibility. The present study presents process optimization for successful electro-entrapment of progesterone in biopolymer pullulan and its characterization suggesting the potential of progesterone loaded pullulan nanofibers for controlled delivery.