Ibuprofen@silver loaded on poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan co-polymer scaffold as a novel drug delivery system

Abstract

In this research, we designed and characterized a multifunctional co-polymer scaffold based on safe, nontoxic, and eco-friendly components and method. The biodegradable scaffold was effectively created utilizing chitosan, poly vinyl alcohol, and silver nanoparticles to transport ibuprofen as a water-insoluble painkiller without the need of a chemical agent. Incorporating of Ibuprofen@silver nanoparticles with scaffold was performed using the electrospinning technique. To determine the optimum condition of ibuprofen loading, a set of experiments at different initial concentrations (0.01–0.5 ppm), contact time (1–72 h), and silver nanoparticle amounts (0.01–0.16 g) were designed and performed based on response surface method and design expert software. The adsorption isotherm of Ibu on Ag nanoparticles was studied based on Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin, while kinetic and mechanism were analyzed by the pseudo-first order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion models. Characterization by SEM, TEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, BET, and cyclic voltammetry confirmed smooth surface morphology, the interaction between ibuprofen and silver surface functional group, and structural stability of silver nanoparticles during ibuprofen loading. Applying two drugs in the role of carrier and medicine will undoubtedly decrease using the additional chemical compounds. Hence, the prepared painkiller and antimicrobial nanofiber could be a considerable candidate in medical care products, especially tissue engineering in terms of the easy control of drug release.