Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The potential of electrospun poly(methyl methacrylate)/polycaprolactone core–sheath fibers for drug delivery applications

  • Materials for life sciences
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Drug-loaded core–sheath fibers were successfully prepared from a combination of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) using a coaxial electrospinning system and Nimesulide as an anti-inflammatory drug model. An electric field potential of 7–8 kV was found optimal for the formation of the fibers, which were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques combined with attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. Results confirmed the core–sheath morphology and indicated that these fibers are larger in diameter than normal ones (prepared as controls from either PCL or PMMA, under similar conditions). The prepared core–sheath fibers were also investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, and results indicated that Nimesulide is completely solubilized in the polymer matrix and that its presence improved the thermal stability of the core–sheath fibers compared to that of normal PMMA fibers. Moreover, PMMA-PCL core–sheath fibers showed an improvement in terms of mechanical properties (such as elongation at break) in comparison with pure PMMA fibers. Drug release studies demonstrated that the delivery of Nimesulide can be modulated by appropriately selecting the loading area, with faster release observed when the drug was located in the sheath. Results suggest altogether the significant potential of PMMA-PCL core–sheath fibers for applications involving delivery of hydrophobic anti-inflammatory drugs such as Nimesulide.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Greiner A, Wendorff JH (2007) Electrospinning: a fascinating method for the preparation of ultrathin fibers. Angew Chem Int Edit 46:5670–5703

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Xue J, Xie J, Liu W, Xia Y (2017) Electrospun nanofibers: new concepts, materials, and applications. Acc Chem Res 50:1976–1987

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Hu X, Liu S, Zhou G et al (2014) Electrospinning of polymeric nanofibers for drug delivery applications. J Control Release 185:12–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Sill TJ, Von Recum HA (2008) Electrospinning: applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Biomaterials 29:1989–2006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Baji A, Mai YW, Wong SC et al (2010) Electrospinning of polymer nanofibers: effects on oriented morphology, structures and tensile properties. Compos Sci Technol 70:703–718

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ibrahim I, Sadiku E, Jamiru T et al (2017) Applications of polymers in the biomedical field. Curr Trends Biomed Eng Biosci 4:9–11

    Google Scholar 

  7. Liang D, Hsiao BS, Chu B (2007) Functional electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds for biomedical applications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 59:1392–1412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Pelipenko J, Kocbek P, Kristl J (2015) Critical attributes of nanofibers: preparation, drug loading, and tissue regeneration. Int J Pharm 484:57–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Chou SF, Carson D, Woodrow KA (2015) Current strategies for sustaining drug release from electrospun nanofibers. J Control Release 220:584–591

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Munj HR, Tyler Nelson M, Karandikar PS et al (2014) Biocompatible electrospun polymer blends for biomedical applications. J Biomed Mater Res–Part B Appl Biomater 102:1517–1527

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Göke K, Lorenz T, Repanas A et al (2018) Novel strategies for the formulation and processing of poorly water-soluble drugs. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 126:40–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Kumbar SG, Nair LS, Bhattacharyya S, Laurencin CT (2006) Polymeric nanofibers as novel carriers for the delivery of therapeutic molecules. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 6:2591–2607

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Sebe I, Szabó P, Kállai-Szabó B, Zelkó R (2015) Incorporating small molecules or biologics into nanofibers for optimized drug release: a review. Int J Pharm 494:516–530

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Rainsford KD (2005) The discovery, development and novel actions of nimesulide. In: Nimesulide–actions and uses. Birkhäuser Basel, pp 1–61

  15. Huerta C, del Aberturas M, Molpeceres J (2015) Nimesulide-loaded nanoparticles for the potential coadjuvant treatment of prostate cancer. Int J Pharm 493:152–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Bessone F (2010) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: what is the actual risk of liver damage? World J Gastroenterol 16:5651–5661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Marziyeh S, Moghddam M, Ahad A et al (2017) Optimization of nanostructured lipid carriers for topical delivery of nimesulide using Box–Behnken design approach. Artif Cell Nanomed B 45:617–624

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Donati M, Conforti A, Lenti MC et al (2016) Risk of acute and serious liver injury associated to nimesulide and other NSAIDs: data from drug-induced liver injury case–control study in Italy. Br J Clin Pharmacol 82:238–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Bakhrushina EO, Anurova MN, Smirnov VV, Demina NB (2017) Development of analytical methods for peroral prolonged-release nimesulide gel. Pharm Chem J 51:130–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Sperling LE, Reis KP, Pranke P, Wendorff JH (2016) Advantages and challenges offered by biofunctional core-shell fiber systems for tissue engineering and drug delivery. Drug Discov Today 21:1243–1256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Khalf A, Madihally SV (2017) Modeling the permeability of multiaxial electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)-gelatin hybrid fibers for controlled doxycycline release. Mater Sci Eng C-Mater Biol Appl 76:161–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Lu Y, Huang J, Yu G et al (2016) Coaxial electrospun fibers: applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 8:654–677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Qian W, Yu D, Li Y et al (2013) Triple-component drug-loaded nanocomposites prepared using a modified coaxial electrospinning. J Nanomater 2013:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Oliveira MF, Suarez D, Rocha JCB et al (2015) Electrospun nanofibers of polyCD/PMAA polymers and their potential application as drug delivery system. Mater Sci Eng C-Mater Biol Appl 54:252–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Bonadies I, Maglione L, Ambrogi V et al (2017) Electrospun core/shell nanofibers as designed devices for efficient Artemisinin delivery. Eur Polym J 89:211–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Castillo-Ortega MM, Nájera-Luna A, Rodríguez-Félix DE et al (2011) Preparation, characterization and release of amoxicillin from cellulose acetate and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) coaxial electrospun fibrous membranes. Mater Sci Eng C-Mater Biol Appl 31:1772–1778

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Najafi-Taher R, Derakhshan MA, Faridi-Majidi R, Amani A (2015) Preparation of an ascorbic acid/PVA–chitosan electrospun mat: a core/shell transdermal delivery system. RSC Adv 5:50462–50469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Ali U, Karim KJA, Buang NA (2015) A review of the properties and applications of poly (Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA). Polym Rev 55:678–705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Bettencourt A (2012) Poly (methyl methacrylate) particulate carriers in drug delivery. J Microencapsul 29:353–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Dong H, Strawhecker KE, Snyder JF et al (2012) Cellulose nanocrystals as a reinforcing material for electrospun poly(methyl methacrylate) fibers: formation, properties and nanomechanical characterization. Carbohyd Polym 87:2488–2495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Woodruff MA, Hutmacher DW (2010) The return of a forgotten polymer–Polycaprolactone in the 21st century. Prog Polym Sci 35:1217–1256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Suwantong O (2016) Biomedical applications of electrospun polycaprolactone fiber mats. Polym Advan Technol 27:1264–1273. https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.3876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Ali Akbari Ghavimi S, Ebrahimzadeh MH, Solati-Hashjin M, Abu Osman NA (2014) Polycaprolactone/starch composite: fabrication, structure, properties, and applications. J Biomed Mater Res–Part A 103:2482–2498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Munj HR, Tomasko DL (2017) Polycaprolactone-polymethyl methacrylate electrospun blends for biomedical applications. Polym Sci Ser A 59:695–707

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Son S-R, Linh N-TB, Yang H-M, Lee B-T (2013) In vitro and in vivo evaluation of electrospun PCL/PMMA fibrous scaffolds for bone regeneration. Sci Technol Adv Mater 14:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Kim Y-H, Lee B-T (2011) Novel approach to the fabrication of an artificial small bone using a combination of sponge replica and electrospinning methods. Sci Technol Adv Mater 12:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Yoon J, Yang HS, Lee BS, Yu WR (2018) Recent progress in coaxial electrospinning: new parameters, various structures, and wide applications. Adv Mater 1704765:1–23

    Google Scholar 

  38. Ribeiro SD, Guimes RF, Meneguin AB et al (2016) Cellulose triacetate films obtained from sugarcane bagasse: evaluation as coating and mucoadhesive material for drug delivery systems. Carbohydr Polym 152:764–774

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Bagliotti Meneguin A, Stringhetti Ferreira Cury B, Evangelista RC (2014) Films from resistant starch-pectin dispersions intended for colonic drug delivery. Carbohydr Polym 99:140–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Lalatsa A, Emeriewen K, Protopsalti V et al (2016) Developing transcutaneous nanoenabled anaesthetics for eyelid surgery. Br J Ophthalmol 100:871–876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Zupančič Š, Potrč T, Baumgartner S et al (2016) Formulation and evaluation of chitosan/polyethylene oxide nanofibers loaded with metronidazole for local infections. Eur J Pharm Sci 95:152–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Wang Q, Wang YZ, Zhao ZF, Fang B (2012) Synthesis of SIS-based hot-melt pressure sensitive adhesives for transdermal delivery of hydrophilic drugs. Int J Adhes Adhes 34:62–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Rasekh M, Young C, Roldo M et al (2015) Hollow-layered nanoparticles for therapeutic delivery of peptide prepared using electrospraying. J Mater Sci-Mater M 26:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Erbas E, Kiziltas A, Bollin SC, Gardner DJ (2015) Preparation and characterization of transparent PMMA—cellulose-based nanocomposites. Carbohyd Polym 127:381–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Abdelrazek EM, Hezma AM, El-khodary A, Elzayat AM (2016) Spectroscopic studies and thermal properties of PCL/PMMA biopolymer blend. Egypt J Basic Appl Sci 3:10–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Khodkar F, Golshan Ebrahimi N (2017) Preparation and properties of antibacterial, biocompatible core–shell fibers produced by coaxial electrospinning. J Appl Polym Sci 134:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Liu H, Liu D, Fei Y, Wu Q (2010) Fabrication and properties of transparent polymethylmethacrylate/cellulose nanocrystals composites. Bioresour Technol 101:5685–5692

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Carrizales C, Pelfrey S, Rincon R et al (2008) Thermal and mechanical properties of electrospun PMMA, PVC, Nylon 6, and Nylon 6,6. Polym Advan Technol 19:124–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Ferriol M, Gentilhomme A, Cochez M (2003) Thermal degradation of poly (methyl methacrylate)(PMMA): modelling of DTG and TG curves. Polym Degrad Stabil 79:271–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Sivalingam G, Karthik R, Madras G (2003) Kinetics of thermal degradation of poly(ε-caprolactone). J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 70:631–647

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Suwantong O (2016) Biomedical applications of electrospun polycaprolactone fiber mats. Polym Advan Technol 27:1264–1273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Kissa E (1996) Wetting and wicking. Text Res J 66:660–668

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Standard test methods for water vapor transmission of materials 1, American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM 96

  54. Tan B, Thomas NL (2016) A review of the water barrier properties of polymer/clay and polymer/graphene nanocomposites. J Membrane Sci 514:595–612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Zupančič Š, Sinha-Ray S, Sinha-Ray S et al (2016) Long-term sustained ciprofloxacin release from PMMA and hydrophilic polymer blended nanofibers. Mol Pharm 13:295–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Langenbucher F (1972) Letters to the editor: linearization of dissolution rate curves by the Weibull distribution. J Pharm Pharmacol 24:979–981

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Repanas A, Glasmacher B (2015) Dipyridamole embedded in Polycaprolactone fibers prepared by coaxial electrospinning as a novel drug delivery system. J Drug Deliv Sci Tec 29:132–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Sultanova Z, Kaleli G, Kabay G, Mutlu M (2016) Controlled release of a hydrophilic drug from coaxially electrospun polycaprolactone nanofibers. Int J Pharm 505:133–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Ana Leão Mouquet, Andréia Bagliotti Meneguin, Aikaterini Lalatsa and Marta Roldo to certain experimental aspects and useful discussions. This work was supported by the PDSE program (CAPES N. 019/2017), FAPEMIG (Grant Numbers APQ-00134-14 and APQ-00403-17) and CNPq (Grant Numbers: 312367/2014-7 and 306726/2017-3). This work was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—BRASIL (CAPES)-Finance Code No 001. The authors gratefully acknowledge the Federal Institute of South of Minas Gerais–IFSuldeminas for their support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Sistemas Poliméricos e Supramoleculares (LSPS) - Instituto de Física e Química, Universidade Federal de Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá, MG, 37500-903, Brazil

    Maria Cecília Rodrigues Simões & Frederico B. De Sousa

  2. Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth, PO4 9LY, UK

    Simon M. Cragg

  3. School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, St. Michael’s Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT, UK

    Eugen Barbu

Authors
  1. Maria Cecília Rodrigues Simões
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Simon M. Cragg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Eugen Barbu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Frederico B. De Sousa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frederico B. De Sousa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Simões, M.C.R., Cragg, S.M., Barbu, E. et al. The potential of electrospun poly(methyl methacrylate)/polycaprolactone core–sheath fibers for drug delivery applications. J Mater Sci 54, 5712–5725 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-03261-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-03261-2

Search

Navigation