Release Behaviors And Kinetics Of Coated Bead-On-String Nanofibrous Multilayer Membranes Loaded With Drug Particles

A bead-on-string structure with special beads at the microscale level could act as an effective carrier for solid drug particles as well as giving a continuous and sustained release profile. Tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH), used as solid model drug particles, was ground to obtain nanoscale and well-distributed size. Electrospun poly[lactic-co-(glycolic acid)] (PLGA) bead-on-string nanofibers loaded with TCH of different particle sizes were fabricated for controlled drug delivery. The morphology of TCH particles and bead-on-string nanofibers were observed using a particle sizer and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of drug particle size on the release behaviors of nanofibers were further investigated and analyzed using UV-visible spectrophotometry. In vitro release results suggested that bead-on-string nanofibers encapsulating ground TCH particles had higher total drug release quantity compared with unground particle-loaded nanofibers. Coating of the surface of PLGA/TCH nanofibers was investigated for controlled-release effects and the release mechanism to understand the drug-polymer carrier interaction. The results indicated that coating on both sides of nanofibrous membranes could effectively decrease the initial burst release. Bead-on-string nanofibers proved to be promising mats for drug delivery applications. (c) 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.