Journal: Current Drug Delivery
Guest editor(s):Dr. Luis Jesús Villarreal-Gómez
Co-Guest Editor(s):

Introduction

In recent years, electrospun fibers have attracted considerable attention as potential platforms for drug delivery due to their distinctive properties and adaptability. These fibers feature a notable surface area-to-volume ratio and can be intentionally designed with high porosity, facilitating an increased capacity for drug loading and rendering them suitable for delivering both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. The morphology of electrospun fibers can be customized to precisely control the release kinetics of drugs, with adjustments in factors such as fiber diameter, composition, and structure enabling the achievement of sustained, controlled, or targeted release of therapeutic agents. Electrospinning is a versatile technique capable of encapsulating a diverse array of drugs, including small molecules, proteins, and nucleic acids, making it applicable across various therapeutic areas ranging from anti-inflammatory drugs to anticancer agents. Many materials used in electrospinning, such as biodegradable polymers like PLA and PLGA, exhibit biocompatibility and can be tailored for specific applications, ensuring compatibility with biological systems in drug delivery. The engineering of electrospun fibers facilitates targeted drug delivery by incorporating ligands or specific moieties that interact with cells or tissues, allowing for precise delivery to the desired site and minimizing systemic side effects. Furthermore, electrospinning enables the incorporation of multiple components into a single fiber, enabling the delivery of combination therapies, particularly beneficial for complex diseases or addressing multiple facets of a single condition. In the realm of transdermal drug delivery, electrospun nanofibers can be specifically designed, providing an alternative to traditional oral or injection routes. This approach not only enhances patient compliance but also reduces side effects associated with certain drug delivery methods. In wound healing applications, electrospun fibers, when loaded with drugs or growth factors, promote tissue regeneration due to their nanofibrous structure, which mimics the extracellular matrix and provides a supportive environment for cell growth. The scalability of electrospinning is a pivotal feature, allowing for the large-scale production of drug-loaded fibers. This scalability is crucial for the practical implementation of these systems in pharmaceutical and clinical settings. Ongoing research is delving into advanced technologies like coaxial electrospinning and 3D electrospinning, aiming to further enhance the capabilities and applications of electrospun fibers in drug delivery. In summary, the potential scope for electrospun fibers as drug delivery systems is extensive, covering a diverse range of therapeutic applications. Continued research and innovation in material science and engineering are likely to unveil new possibilities, further optimizing the performance of electrospun fibers in drug delivery.

Keywords

Administration routes, Biomaterials, Coaxial, Drug release, Electrospinning, Nanotechnology

Sub-topics