The purpose of the present study is to fabricate large surface area to volume polymeric electrospun nanofibers for drug delivery application. Delivering hydrophobic drug using hydrophilic polymeric carrier is a challenge. For this purpose, piperine (hydrophobic drug) was incorporated in gelatin/cyclodextrin nanofibers (G-P/CD NF) via electrospinning. Here, CD has been used to enhance solubility and bioavailability of hydrophobic molecules. Since gelatin nanofibers are water soluble, we have crosslinked electrospun gelatin nanofibers using saturated GTA vapor to increase the water resistive properties. Interestingly, we also found that only 6 min exposure to saturated GTA vapor is sufficient to provide the required drug release compared to 24 h crosslinking time (reported in literature). The crosslinked sample (G-P/CD NF C6) was investigated using FTIR, TGA to investigate chemical and thermal stability of the system. SEM images confirm the effect of crosslinking on the fibrous structure. Release studies were done in different physiological pH medium mimicking the pH profile of gastrointestinal tract. Sandwiched configuration was prepared by placing G-P/CD NF between electrospun gelatin nanofibrous mat (Gel-G-P/CD NF C6). Gel-G-P/CD NF C6 exhibited slower release as compared to G-P/CD NF C6, indicating the role of increase in diffusional barrier between the drug molecules and release medium. Several parameters like effect of cyclodextrin, barrier network and crosslinking on release of hydrophobic molecules were studied in depth for developing delivery systems for hydrophobic drugs. Thus these findings could potentially be useful to engineer biodegradable nanofiber based controlled release system, particularly for hydrophobic molecules

Electrospun nanofibers of gelatin/cyclodextrin and their potential application as hydrophobic drug delivery system

251st National Meeting (2016)

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