Effects of Polyvinylpyrrolidone and Ethyl Cellulose in Polyurethane Electrospun Nanofibers on Morphology and Drug Release Characteristics

OBJECTIVES: Polyurethanes (PUs) are a popular choice for composing nanofibers due to their spinnability, biocompatibility, high chemical stability, and good mechanical and elasticity properties. The desired release behaviors are also achieved by using combinations of PUs and various polymers. In this study, we investigated effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and ethyl cellulose (EC) on PU electrospun nanofibers in terms of morphological structures and drug release characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: drug release studies from electrospun nanofibers were performed according to the method defined in the monograph as the "paddle over disk method" of United States Pharmacopeia 38. RESULTS: release data indicated that the presence of EC or PVP in PU nanofibers dramatically changed the release behavior of DNP. PU/EC nanofibers (F4) provided sustained drug release with the Korsmeyer-Peppas drug release kinetic mechanism, in which the release rate was controlled by diffusion of the drug, while all of the PU/PVP nanofibers exhibited fast drug release. CONCLUSION: Overall, these characteristics of PU/EC (10/8) electrospun nanofibers has suggested their potential use as a drug carrier from which water-soluble drug release may occur in a sustained fashion.