A novel biodegradable system based on BSA/PCL core-shell structured nanofibers for controlled drug delivery

Abstract

Electrospun core-shell structured nanofibers encapsulating BSA were evaluated as a potential drug delivery model in a biological system in the present study. These nanofibers were prepared by coaxial electrospinning method with PCL as the shell and BSA as the core. During electrospinning, graded and constant feed rates were set for the core and shell components, respectively. These fibers were characterized for their structure, in vitro release, and interactions with human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The core-shell structure was confirmed by TEM and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Release kinetic studies of these nanofibers without HDFs showed a gradual release of BSA instead of a burst release profile. Faster release was observed when HDFs were cultured on these fibers. These results suggest that the core-shell structured nanofibers could possibly have great potentials as a novel controlled drug delivery system, as well as tissue engineering scaffolds encapsulating bioactive molecules for tissue repair and regeneration.