Electrospun coaxial hyaluronan-based fiber networks for ophthalmic drug release

Abstract

A micro-sized core-shell drug release device has been prepared by coaxial electrospinning based on a polylactide shell and the inner core phase made of high molecular weight hyaluronan or a cross-linked hyaluronan network. Timolol, which was inserted into the core phase, is widely used as drug for glaucoma treatment to depress the intraocular eye pressure and should be released over a longer time period from this fiber networks. Release studies of drug loaded fiber devices showed an only moderate burst release of timolol in the first days followed by a continuous longlasting drug release period over several weeks. With these findings, coaxial electrospinning represents a promising approach for the development of drug release systems with long-lasting, relatively constant drug delivery.

Keywords

• coaxial electrospinning
• long-term drug release
• polylactide
• hyaluronan
• ophthalmology