Electrospun nanofibers of polyCD/PMAA polymers and their potential application as drug delivery system

TL;DR

This study develops electrospun polyCD/PMAA nanofibers with controlled drug release capabilities, demonstrating improved modulation of propranolol hydrochloride release for potential drug delivery applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel coaxial nanofiber system combining polyCD and PMAA for enhanced drug release control, with detailed synthesis and biocompatibility assessment.

Findings

Coaxial nanofibers reduce drug burst effect by ~50%.

PolyCD interacts spontaneously with propranolol hydrochloride.

Nanofibers show potential for controlled hydrophilic drug delivery.

Abstract

Herein, we used an electrospinning process to develop highly efficacious and hydrophobic coaxial nanofibers based on poly-cyclodextrin (polyCD) associated with poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) that combines polymeric and supramolecular features for modulating the release of the hydrophilic drug, propranolol hydrochloride (PROP). For this purpose, polyCD was synthesized and characterized, and its biocompatibility was assessed using fibroblast cytotoxicity tests. Moreover, the interactions between the guest PROP molecule and both polyCD and $\beta$CD were found to be spontaneous. Subsequently, PROP was encapsulated in uniaxial and coaxial polyCD/ PMAA nanofibers. A lower PROP burst effect (reduction of approximately 50%) and higher modulation were observed from the coaxial than from the uniaxial fibers. Thus, the coaxial nanofibers could potentially be a useful strategy for developing a controlled release system for hydrophilic molecules.