Evaluation of Modified Guar Gum as Polymer for Electrospun Nanofibrous Film

ABSTRACT This study aimed to fabricate metoclopramide‐loaded nanofibers based on esterified guar gum using electrospinning. Guar gum was chemically modified through esterification, with structural changes confirmed via 1 H NMR and FT‐IR analyses. Rheological and swelling studies demonstrated that this modification reduced viscosity and swelling capacity, enhancing the polymer's suitability for electrospinning. Polyvinyl alcohol was incorporated as a co‐polymer with the modified guar gum to improve fiber morphology and uniformity. The resulting metoclopramide‐loaded nanofibrous film exhibited an average fiber diameter of 77.43 nm. Physical and mechanical evaluations showed an increase in fiber density in the drug‐loaded samples, attributed to interactions between metoclopramide and the polymer matrix, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in porosity. FT‐IR analysis confirmed successful drug incorporation, while thermal stability was comparable between drug‐loaded and unloaded nanofibers. Comparative in vitro release studies revealed rapid metoclopramide release from the electrospun nanofibrous film within 5 min, whereas the solvent‐cast film achieved 80% drug release in 30 min. These findings highlight the potential of chemically modified guar gum‐based nanofibers for fast and efficient drug delivery, indicating their broader applicability in pharmaceutical and nanomaterial‐based technologies.