Melt electrospinning of daunorubicin hydrochloride-loaded poly (ε-caprolactone) fibrous membrane for tumor therapy

Daunorubicin hydrochloride is a cell-cycle non-specific antitumor drug with a high therapeutic effect.The present study outlines the fabrication of daunorubicin hydrochloride-loaded poly (ε-caprolactone)(PCL) fibrous membranes by melt electrospinning for potential application in localized tumor therapy.The diameters of the drug-loaded fibers prepared with varying concentrations of daunorubicin hydrochloride(1, 5, and 10 wt%) were 2.48 ± 1.25, 2.51 ± 0.78, and 2.49 ± 1.58 μm, respectively. Fluorescenceimages indicated that the hydrophobic drug was dispersed in the hydrophilic PCL fibers in theiraggregated state. The drug release profiles of the drug-loaded PCL melt electrospun fibrous membraneswere approximately linear, with slow release rates and long-term release periods, and no observed burstrelease. The MTT assay was used to examine the cytotoxic effect of the released daunorubicin hydrochlorideon HeLa and glioma cells (U87) in vitro. The inhibition ratios of HeLa and glioma cells followingtreatment with membranes prepared with 1, 5, and 10 wt% daunorubicin hydrochloride were 62.69%,76.12%, and 85.07% and 62.50%, 77.27%, and 84.66%, respectively. Therefore, PCL melt electrospun fibrousmembranes loaded with daunorubicin hydrochloride may be used in the local administration ofoncotherapy.

Characterization on Modification and Biocompatibility of PCL Scaffold Prepared with Near-field Direct-writing Melt Electrospinning

In this study,orthogonal experiments were designed to explore the optimal process parameters for preparing polycaprolactone(PCL)scaffolds by the near-field direct-writing melt electrospinning(NFDWMES)technology.Based on the optimal process parameters,the PCL scaffolds with different thicknesses,gaps and structures were manufactured and the corresponding hydrophilicities were characterized.The PCL scaffolds were modified by chitosan(CS)and hyaluronic acid(HA)to improve biocompatibility and hydrophilicity.Both Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)analysis and antibacterial experimental results show that the chitosan and hyaluronic acid adhere to the surface of PCL scaffolds,suggesting that the modification plays a positive role in biocompatibility and antibacterial effect.The PCL scaffolds were then employed as a carrier to culture cells.The morphology and distribution of the cells observed by a fluorescence microscope demonstrate that the modified PCL scaffolds have good biocompatibility,and the porous structure of the scaffolds is conducive to adhesion and deep growth of cells.

Morphology, Crystallization Behavior and Tensile Properties of β-Nucleated Isotactic Polypropylene Fibrous Membranes Prepared by Melt Electrospinning

β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene （iPP） fibers with diameters less than 5 Hm were prepared through melt electrospinning. The effects of electrospiuning process and rare earth β-nucleating agent （WBG） on the crystal structure of iPP fibers were investigated. The results indicate that the addition of WBG can improve the fluidity of iPP melt remarkably and help the formation of fine fibers with thinner diameter, while the electrostatic force applied on the iPP melt is not favorable for the formation of β-crystal in iPP fibers. In addition, the morphology and crystalline structure of WBG/iPP electrospun fibers depended on the content of WBG. Both the crystallinity and the percentage of β-crystal form of WBG/iPP electrospun fibers increase with the rise of the content of nucleating agent, which endows the prepared electrospun fibers excellent mechanical properties. The β-nucleated iPP electrospun fibrous membranes prepared in this study can be used for protective clothing material, filtration media, reinforcement for composites and tissue engineering scaffolds.