Tranexamic acid-loaded chitosan electrospun nanofibers as drug delivery system for hemorrhage control applications

Abstract

The work reports fabrication of hemostatic patches containing an antifibrinolytic agent with an antibacterial, hemostat polymer. Membranes were fabricated by electrospinning technique. Hemostatic membranes were characterized for swelling, morphology, mechanical, thrombosis and drug release properties. Delivery systems containing 40 mg/ml of tranexamic acid (TXA) could be successfully fabricated. Clotting time (CT) of nanofiber membranes fabricated with 1:1 poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA): chitosan composition was 167 ± 6 s whereas a 3:2 PVA: chitosan composition with the same amount of drug showed 210 ± 10 s of CT. These CT were significantly lesser compared to control without any interventions (253 ± 6 s; p < 0.01). The results underscore the role of chitosan in hemostasis and proved that TXA extends a complimentary role. Nanofiber membranes were hemocompatible and possessed anti-biofilm formation properties. Mechanical properties of the nanofibers showed the membranes provide mechanical occlusion comparable to other drug loaded hemostatic systems like starch sponges as well as possess flexibility for possible internal hemorrhage control. Drug release data were fitted into the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model, which indicated a Fickian diffusion. In conclusion, TXA incorporation into chitosan nanofibers can be an attractive strategy to obtain hemostatic membranes for a wide variety of battlefield and clinical applications.