Electrospinning in Drug Delivery Applications

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 1772

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Interests: drug delivery systems; biomaterials; functional foods; pharmaceutical products; wound care
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Interests: drug delivery systems; controlled drug release; biopolymers; mucoadhesive carrier; pharmaceutical technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Electrospun nanofibers have garnered significant interest in recent times owing to their distinctive characteristics, including their biocompatibility and extensive range of applications. Active substances can be successfully incorporated into the nanofibrous membrane to provide a variety of drugs for systemic circulation, increasing their solubility and bioavailability as well as local administration in the form of various tissue-engineered scaffolds and wound dressings. Despite a significant amount of research being conducted in this area, electrospinning is attracting interest from both the academic community and, increasingly, the industrial community, and there is no doubt that there will be further advances and applications made in the future.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, titled "Electrospinning in Drug Delivery Applications". This Special Issue welcomes original research articles and reviews that cover all aspects of the design, manufacturing, characterization, final formulation, and drug delivery applications using electrospinning, but papers focused on other topics which fit within a similar scope are welcome to be submitted too.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Judyta Cielecka-Piontek
Dr. Magdalena Paczkowska-Walendowska
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • electrospinning
  • nanofibers
  • nanostructures
  • nanomaterials
  • nanotechnology
  • drug delivery
  • polymers
  • biopolymers
  • controlled release
  • topical application
  • tissue-engineered scaffold
  • wound dressing
  • systematic delivery

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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17 pages, 3506 KiB  
Article
PLA-Based Electrospun Nanofibrous Mats Towards Application as Antibiotic Carriers: Processing Parameters, Fabrication and Characterization
by Evi Christodoulou, Anastasia Chondromatidou, Nikolaos D. Bikiaris, Evangelia Balla, Marilena Vlachou, Panagiotis Barmpalexis and Dimitrios N. Bikiaris
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050589 - 30 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Polymeric nanofibers are promising platforms for skin treatment applications due to their large surface area and high porosity, which promote enhanced drug delivery. This study aimed to develop and compare poly(lactic acid)-based (PLA) nanofibrous mats, using linear PLA and a star-like [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Polymeric nanofibers are promising platforms for skin treatment applications due to their large surface area and high porosity, which promote enhanced drug delivery. This study aimed to develop and compare poly(lactic acid)-based (PLA) nanofibrous mats, using linear PLA and a star-like PLA-pentaerythritol (PLA-PE) copolymer, as carriers for transdermal delivery of the antibacterial agent levofloxacin (LEV). Methods: Electrospinning was employed to fabricate nanofibers from PLA and PLA-PE solutions. Spinning parameters and polymer concentrations (10% w/v PLA and 20% w/v PLA-PE) were optimized to produce uniform fibers. LEV was loaded at 10% and 20% w/w. A sum of complementary characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), were applied to comparatively investigate the fibers’ morphology, structural properties, and crystallinity. Drug loading, porosity, degradation, and in vitro release profiles were evaluated. Results: PLA-PE nanofibers demonstrated smaller diameters and higher porosity (up to 90.1%) compared to PLA (82.4%), leading to enhanced drug loading (up to 34.78%) and faster degradation (55% vs. 43% mass loss over 60 days). Drug release exhibited a biphasic profile with an initial burst followed by sustained release. PLA-PE formulations released up to 60.2% LEV, compared to 38.1% for PLA counterparts. Conclusions: The star-like PLA-PE copolymer enhances nanofiber properties relevant to the desired application, including porosity, degradation rate, and drug release. These findings suggest that PLA-PE is a promising material for developing advanced transdermal antibiotic delivery systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrospinning in Drug Delivery Applications)
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21 pages, 9442 KiB  
Article
Ashwagandha: Optimizing the Extraction and Electrospun Nanofiber Production
by Maciej Jaskólski, Magdalena Paczkowska-Walendowska, Andrzej Miklaszewski and Judyta Cielecka-Piontek
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(1), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17010061 - 5 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1146
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study explores the development of electrospun nanofibers incorporating bioactive compounds from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract, focusing on optimizing extraction conditions and nanofiber composition to maximize biological activity and application potential. Methods: Using the Design of Experiment (DoE) approach, optimal extraction [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This study explores the development of electrospun nanofibers incorporating bioactive compounds from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract, focusing on optimizing extraction conditions and nanofiber composition to maximize biological activity and application potential. Methods: Using the Design of Experiment (DoE) approach, optimal extraction parameters were identified as 80% methanol, 70 °C, and 60 min, yielding high levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Methanol concentration emerged as the critical factor influencing phytochemical properties. Electrospinning technology was employed to produce nanofibers using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) as carriers, ensuring encapsulation, stabilization, and an enhanced bioavailability of the active compounds. Results: Nanofibers demonstrated a high surface-to-volume ratio, rapid dissolution, and significant mucoadhesive properties, making them suitable for oral mucosal applications. The optimal nanofiber composition was determined to be 2.5 mL extract, 25% PVP, and an extract-to-HPβCD ratio of 1:0.6. Statistical modeling confirmed that the electrospinning process did not compromise the antioxidant or anti-inflammatory properties of the extract, with extract content being the primary determinant of biological activity. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of integrating advanced extraction techniques with nanotechnology to develop innovative delivery systems for traditional herbal remedies. The developed nanofibers offer promising applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods, paving the way for a scalable and efficient utilization of Ashwagandha bioactives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrospinning in Drug Delivery Applications)
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