Development of sinomenine hydrochloride loaded shell/core nanofibrous with pH‐responsive for colon‐targeted drug delivery

Abstract A series of colon‐targeted, sustained‐release, sinomenine hydrochloride (SH) loaded shell/core electrospun nanofibers are reported. The fibers have shells made of Eudragit S100 (ES‐100), and drug‐loaded cores comprising of Eudragit RS100 (ERS‐100) and SH. The essential characteristics of membranes are evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and x‐ray diffraction. In vitro release of SH show that the shell/core nanofiber membranes can block drug release in the HCl buffer (pH 1.2), and the release time of the hydrophilic drug SH exceed 240 min at pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution. In vitro drug release kinetics consistent with the first‐order model. The shell/core nanofiber can achieve colon‐targeted and sustained‐release properties, which can better prevent the loss of SH and relieve the adverse effects on gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the hemolysis and cytotoxicity tests manifest that the nanofiber membrane display good hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility. These results suggest the SH‐containing nanofiber membranes have potential applications as a colon‐targeted drug delivery system that sustained release. They also offer a theoretical foundation for the development of novel dosage forms for SH.