The effect of molecular weight and content of PEG on in vitro drug release of electrospun curcumin loaded PLA/PEG nanofibers

Abstract

This study focused on preparation of curcumin (CUR) loaded poly (lactic acid) (PLA) nanofibers by electrospinning technique. The hydrophilicity of nanofibers was modified by the addition of poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) with molecular weight of 1500 in different weight (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt% related to the PLA content) and also by the addition of PEG with different molecular weights (6000, 3350, 1500, 600, 400) in the same content of 10 wt% related to the PLA content. The electrospun PLA/CUR/PEG nanofibers are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle measurements and weight loss investigation in the phosphate buffered saline. Vertical diffusion cell was used to perform in vitro drug release from the prepared nanofiber mats through recording curcuminoids content by high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that the drug release was intensified with decrease in the molecular weight of PEG and increase in the PEG content. As well, the adhesion assay of the PLA/CUR/PEG nanofiber mats were examined and the related SEM images revealed that the MG-63 cells could growth well and spread out over the surface of the PLA/CUR/PEG nanofiber mats with 20 wt% of PEG1500 in comparison with the nanofibers containing 0 wt% of PEG1500. Eventually, the prepared electrospun CUR-loaded nanofibers with capable of providing a susceptible medium for accelerating the drug release can be good candidate for wound dressing applications.