Electrospun Janus zein–PVP nanofibers provide a two-stage controlled release of poorly water-soluble drugs

Abstract

The dissolution and controlled release of poorly water soluble drugs have been challenging during the past half century. Food ingredients are often exploited to implement some strategies to conceive new drug delivery systems as potential solutions. In this study, Janus zein–PVP medicated nanofibers were fabricated through side-by-side electrospinning and by using zein as a key filament-forming matrix and a drug carrier. Ferulic acid (FA), as a poorly water-soluble model drug, was loaded on both sides of the Janus fibers. The side-by-side electrospinning process was performed for a smooth and robust preparation. SEM and TEM revealed that the resultant Janus fibers had linear morphology without beads-on-a-string phenomena, smooth surface, and obvious side-by-side structure. The FA was present in the fibers in an amorphous state due to its fine compatibility with zein and PVP. In vitro dissolution tests verified that the Janus fibers manipulated the release of FA in a two-stage manner. The controlled release mechanism of the Janus fibers was proposed. On the basis of the application of zein, a process–structure–performance relationship, which should be useful for developing many new functional materials from biological macromolecules, was disclosed.

Keywords

• Zein
• Side-by-side electrospinning
• Janus nanofibers
• Controlled release
• Poorly water-soluble drug