Fabrication of drug-eluting polycaprolactone and chitosan blend microfibers for topical drug delivery applications

Chronic and non-healing wounds show delayed incomplete healing process, which expose the patients to a high risk of infection. These types require frequent change dressing, is burden on patients. In addition, ideal dressing needs meet requirements in minimizing microbial infiltration growth while balancing moisture exchanging oxygen with outside environment. To overcome challenge design requirements, current researches have focused development electrospun fibers incorporation small molecule drugs for sustained release purpose. this study, electrospinning was performed fabricate blend consisting 15 wt% polycaprolactone (PCL) 4 chitosan (CS) at various ratios model drug, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Results showed that became more hydrophilic when increasing CS concentration from 0% 60% PCL/CS blank fibers. Increasing decreased fiber diameter resulting decrease mechanical properties. Furthermore, addition 10% w/w ASA also made further diameter. There were no linear relationships between concentrations properties drug-loaded samples, indicated some level drug-polymer interactions. Fiber drug rates two major aspects indicative strong and/or weak vitro PBS buffer solution burst profile (30%) up 2 h followed by zero-order rate days.