Electrospun fibrous scaffolds made from polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL) have been used in drug delivery and tissue engineering for their viscoelasticity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunability. Hydrophobicity and the prolonged degradation of PCL causes inhibition of the natural tissue-remodeling processes. Poliglecaprone (PGC), which consists of PCL and Poly (glycolic acid) (PGA), has better mechanical properties and a shorter degradation time compared to PCL. A blend between PCL and PGC called PPG can give enhanced shared properties for biomedical applications. In this study, we fabricated a blend of PCL and PGC nanofibrous scaffold (PPG) at different ratios of PGC utilizing electrospinning. We studied the physicochemical and biological properties, such as morphology, crystallinity, surface wettability, degradation, surface functionalization, and cellular compatibility. All PPG scaffolds exhibited good uniformity in fiber morphology and improved mechanical properties. The surface wettability and degradation studies confirmed that increasing PGC in the PPG composites increased hydrophilicity and scaffold degradation respectively. Cell viability and cytotoxicity results showed that the scaffold with PGC was more viable and less toxic than the PCL-only scaffolds. PPG fibers were successfully coated with polydopamine (PDA) and collagen to improve degradation, biocompatibility, and bioactivity. The nanofibrous scaffolds synthesized in this study can be utilized for tissue engineering applications such as for regeneration of human articular cartilage regeneration and soft bones.
more »
« less
Electrospun PVA Fibers for Drug Delivery: A Review
Innovation in biomedical science is always a field of interest for researchers. Drug delivery, being one of the key areas of biomedical science, has gained considerable significance. The utilization of simple yet effective techniques such as electrospinning has undergone significant development in the field of drug delivery. Various polymers such as PEG (polyethylene glycol), PLGA (Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)), PLA(Polylactic acid), and PCA (poly(methacrylate citric acid)) have been utilized to prepare electrospinning-based drug delivery systems (DDSs). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has recently gained attention because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and ideal mechanical properties as these are the key factors in developing DDSs. Moreover, it has shown promising results in developing DDSs individually and when combined with natural and synthetic polymers such as chitosan and polycaprolactone (PCL). Considering the outstanding properties of PVA, the aim of this review paper was therefore to summarize these recent advances by highlighting the potential of electrospun PVA for drug delivery systems.
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 1924241
- PAR ID:
- 10482672
- Publisher / Repository:
- MDPI
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Polymers
- Volume:
- 15
- Issue:
- 18
- ISSN:
- 2073-4360
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 3837
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- electrospinning polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers drug delivery wound dressing transdermal tissue engineering
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
In this investigation, we explored the microrheological characteristics of dilute hydrogels composed exclusively of Poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA), Phytagel (PHY), and a blend of the two in varying concentrations. Each of these polymers has established applications in the biomedical field, such as drug delivery and lens drops. This study involved varying the sample concentrations from 0.15% to 0.3% (w/w) to assess how the concentration influenced the observed rheological response. Two probe sizes were employed to examine the impact of the size and verify the continuity hypothesis. The use of two polymer blends revealed their immiscibility and tendency to undergo phase separation, as supported by the existing literature. Exploring the microrheological structure is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the molecular scale. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was chosen due to its wide frequency range and widespread availability. The selected dilute concentration range was hypothesized to fall within the transition from an ergodic to a non-ergodic medium. Properly identifying the sample’s nature during an analysis—whether it is ergodic or not—is critical, as highlighted in the literature. The obtained results clearly demonstrate an overlap in the results for the storage (G’) and loss moduli (G″) for the different probe particle sizes, confirming the fulfillment of the continuum hypothesis.more » « less
-
Polymers play a critical role in the biomedical and sustainable materials fields, serving as key resources for both research and product development. While synthetic and natural polymers are both widely used, synthetic polymers have traditionally dominated due to their ability to meet the specific material requirements of most fiber fabrication methods. However, synthetic polymers are derived from non-renewable resources, and their production raises environmental and health concerns. Natural polymers, on the other hand, are derived from renewable biological sources and include a subset known as biopolymers, such as proteins and polysaccharides, which are produced by living organisms. These biopolymers are naturally abundant and offer benefits such as biodegradability and non-toxicity, making them especially suitable for biomedical and green applications. Recently, air jet spinning has emerged as a promising method for fabricating biopolymer fibers, valued for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and safety—advantages that stand out compared to the more conventional electrospinning process. This review examines the methods and mechanisms of air jet spinning, drawing on empirical studies and practical insights to highlight its advantages over traditional fiber production techniques. By assembling natural biopolymers into micro- and nanofibers, this novel fabrication method demonstrates strong potential for targeted applications, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, air filtration, food packaging, and biosensing, utilizing various protein and polysaccharide sources.more » « less
-
Abstract This study focuses on the fabrication, characterization and anticancer properties of biocompatible and biodegradable composite nanofibers consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), oxymatrine (OM), and citric acid (CA) using a facile and high‐yield centrifugal spinning process known as Forcespinning. The effects of varying concentrations of OM and CA on fiber diameter and molecular cross‐linking are investigated. The morphological and thermo‐physical properties, as well as water absorption of the developed nanofiber‐based mats are characterized using microscopical analysis, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. In vitro anticancer studies are conducted with HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. Results show a high yield of long fibers embedded with beads. Fiber average diameters range between 462 and 528 nm depending on OM concentration. The thermal analysis results show that the fibers are stable at room temperature. The anticancer study reveals that PVA nanofiber membrane with high concentrations of OM can suppress the proliferation of HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. The study provides a comprehensive investigation of OM embedded into nanosized PVA fibers and the prospective application of these membranes as a drug delivery system.more » « less
-
Biocompatible polymers have emerged as essential materials in medical 3D printing, enabling the fabrication of scaffolds, tissue constructs, drug delivery systems, and biosensors for applications in and on the human body. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of 3D-printable biocompatible polymers and their composites, with an emphasis on their processing methods, properties, and biomedical uses. The scope of this work includes both natural and synthetic biocompatible polymers, polymer–nanocomposite systems, and bioinks that do not require photo initiators. The relevant literature was critically examined to classify materials by type, evaluate their compatibility with major 3D printing techniques such as stereolithography, selective laser sintering, and fused deposition modeling, and assess their performance in various medical applications. Key findings highlight that reinforced polymer composites, tailored surface chemistries, and hybrid printing strategies significantly expand the range of functional, customizable, and affordable biomedical devices. This review concludes by discussing present-day applications and emerging trends, underscoring that 3D-printable biocompatible polymers are rapidly transitioning from research to clinical practice, offering transformative potential for patient-specific healthcare solutions.more » « less
An official website of the United States government

