Recent advances in electrospun for drug delivery purpose

J Drug Target. 2019 Mar;27(3):270-282. doi: 10.1080/1061186X.2018.1481413. Epub 2018 Aug 8.

Abstract

Electrospun, an advanced technology, has been successfully employed for fibre production and offers many merits in novel drug delivery systems (DDSs). In recent years, electrospun has gained significant attention and attraction of the scientists in soaring numbers. This technology is superior to other technologies in fabricating the fibres which range from micrometers to manometers scale. The selection of appropriate polymers, electrospun processes and electrospun parameters play important roles in controlling the drug release while, treating serious illness. Besides, electrospraying process has similar characteristics to the electrospun and is presented briefly here. Further, in vivo and in vitro evaluations of the electrospun nanofibers are comprehensively discussed. In addition, the electrospun nanotechnology has been exploited to design drug release systems, investigate drug's pharmacokinetics and further develop DDS. The electrospun nanofibers improve bioactivity of various types of drugs including water-insoluble, soluble, anticancer and antibacterial drugs and genetic materials. In the end, the prospects and challenges in the process of designing drug-loaded electrospun nanofibers are discussed in detail.

Keywords: Electrospun; drug delivery system; electrospraying; electrospun nanofibers; polymers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Drug Design*
  • Drug Liberation
  • Humans
  • Nanofibers*
  • Particle Size
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / administration & dosage
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemistry
  • Solubility
  • Technology, Pharmaceutical / methods

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations