Fabrication of electrospun antioxidant nanofibers by rutin‐pluronic solid dispersions for enhanced solubility

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this study, solid dispersions (SDs) and electrospinning combined methods were used to increase the bioavailability and solubility of a water insoluble drug. Pullulan (PUL) nanofibers containing rutin‐Pluronic SDs (PUL&RU@PF) were fabricated by electrospinning. Rutin was efficiently loaded with Pluronic SDs using a facile mixing method and the prepared SDs indicated that 4% w/v Pluronic concentration provided the optimal drug loading efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) verified that the morphology of the complex nanofibers had a uniformly smooth surface with a porous structure. The amorphous state of rutin was examined by XRD and DSC. Moreover, rutin in the electrospun PUL‐rutin‐Pluronic complex structure displayed a fast release profile and equivalent antioxidant ability compared to that of raw rutin. In conclusion, PUL&RU@PF may be a promising alternative for enhanced solubility and UV stability with remaining rutin's inherent antioxidant ability. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44859.