Electrospinning for Drug Delivery Systems: Drug Incorporation Techniques

Electrospinning is a very versatile techniqueused for many purposes, such as tissue engineering, textiles, air and water treatment filter, solar cells, and drug delivery systems, among others. This method is cheap, easy to handle, reproducible when ambient parameters are controlled, and can be used for many formulations. The objective of this review is to enlist and emphasize the advantages and disadvantages of different methods for incorporating therapeutic drugs in a drug delivery system with electrospinning. The importance of the research to create new and innovative drug carriers is high, because of their efficiency of transporting the bioactive agent to the target zone, avoiding secondary effects in the body. Nanofibers and nanoparticles have become an important strategy in pharmacology due to their physicochemical and biocompatible properties useful for this purpose. Among the techniques compared are blending coaxial, emulsion and surface modification electrospinning, followed by electrospray and coaxial electrospray. The present review concludes that every technique has advantages and disadvantages and, not all drugs can be loaded with any method, the strategy used will depend on the drug’s physicochemical properties, target zone, polymeric characteristics, and required drug release rate. This chapter will serve as a starting point for when to choose one of the drug incorporation techniques mentioned

Release behavior and bioadhesivity of a hydrophobic polyacid gel

The release behavior of salicylic acid and the bioadhesion properties of crosslinked polyacid hydrophobic-gel disks, containing methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid, were evaluated in simulated fluids. In gastric fluid a very low amount of drug was released with a minimal swelling and water uptake. The drug release was dependent of the drug precipitated in the interconnecting micropores of the disk structure. The transport and release type in this medium ranged from Fickian to zero order depending of drug loading. In intestinal fluid, disks swelled completely and the water absorption capacity was eight-fold its dry weight. In this case the released drug showed a biphasic behavior with a fast linear release (Mt /Mα ≤ 0.6), followed by a slow drug release controlled by the gel swelling. Bioadhesion was measured by the tensiometer method on pig mucosae, the results indicated that these polyacid hydrogels are weak bioadhesives on both gastric and intestinal mucosae.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Modelo de autocuidado e imagem corporal em adultos pós cirurgia bariátrica

Objetivo: testar um modelo de autocuidado explicado pela relação entre autoeficácia, imagem corporal, transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo e depressão em pessoas com cirurgia bariátrica na cidade de Tijuana, no México. Método: estudo transversal correlacional realizado entre agosto e dezembro de 2020. Instrumentos validados foram aplicados a 102 participantes para medir sua capacidade de autocuidado, autoeficácia geral, sintomas psicopatológicos, e percepção e satisfação com a imagem corporal. As variáveis de interesse foram analisadas utilizando estatísticas descritivas e correlações de Pearson e Spearman para finalmente desenvolver um modelo utilizando a análise de caminho (path analysis). Resultados: foi obtido um modelo significativo com bons indicadores de bondade de ajuste (qui-quadrado χ 2 (8)= 11,451, p = 0,177; raiz quadrada da média do erro de aproximação (RMSEA)= 0,000; índice de bondade de ajuste (GFI)= 0,965; índice de ajuste comparativo (CFI)= 0,985; índice de ajuste normalizado parcimonioso (PNFI)= 0,509 e critério de informação de Akaike (AIC)= 37,451). A autoeficácia (Zβ= 0,294) e a insatisfação com a imagem corporal (Zβ= -0,376) demonstraram ter um efeito sobre as capacidades de autocuidado, enquanto os sintomas psicopatológicos influenciam a insatisfação corporal: transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (Zβ= 0,370) e depressão (Zβ= 0,320). Conclusão: níveis adequados de autoeficácia e satisfação corporal predizem uma alta capacidade de autocuidado.Objective: the aim of the present article was to test a self-care model explained by the relationship between self-efficacy, body image, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression in people with bariatric surgery in the city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Method: this was a correlational cross-sectional study carried out between August and December 2020. Validated instruments were administered to 102 participants to measure their self-care capacity, general self-efficacy, psychopathological symptoms, and body image perception and satisfaction. The variables of interest were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to develop a model using path analysis. Result: a significant model was obtained with adequate goodness-of-fit indicators (chi-square χ2 (8) = 11.451, p = .177; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)= 0.000; goodness-of-fit index (GFI)= 0.965; comparative fit index (CFI)= 0.985; parsimonious normed fit index (PNFI)= 0.509, and Akaike information criterion (AIC)= 37.451). Self-efficacy (Zβ=0.294) and body image dissatisfaction (So= -0.376) were shown to influence self-care abilities while psychopathological symptoms influenced body dissatisfaction: obsessive-compulsive disorder (Zβ=0.370) and depression (Zβ=0.320). Conclusion: adequate levels of self-efficacy and body satisfaction predict a high capacity for self-care.Objetivo: probar un modelo de autocuidado explicado por la relación entre autoeficacia, imagen corporal, obsesión-compulsión y depresión en personas con cirugía bariátrica de la ciudad de Tijuana, B.C. Método: estudio transversal correlacional realizado entre agosto y diciembre de 2020. Se aplicaron instrumentos validados a 102 participantes para medir su capacidad de autocuidado, autoeficacia general, síntomas psicopatológicos, percepción y satisfacción de la imagen corporal. Las variables de interés fueron analizadas mediante estadística descriptiva y correlaciones de Pearson y Spearman para finalmente elaborar un modelo mediante análisis de ruta (Path Analysis). Resultados: se obtuvo un modelo significativo con buenos indicadores de bondad de ajuste (chi-cuadrado χ 2 (8)= 11.451, p = .177; error de aproximación raíz-media-cuadrada (RMSEA)= 0.000; índice de bondad de ajuste (GFI)= 0.965; índice de ajuste comparativo (CFI)= 0.985; índice de ajuste normado parsimonioso (PNFI)= 0.509 y criterio de información de Akaike (AIC)= 37.451). Se demostró que la autoeficacia (Zβ= 0.294) y la insatisfacción de la imagen corporal (Zβ= -0.376) tienen un efecto sobre las capacidades de autocuidado mientras que los síntomas psicopatológicos influyen sobre la insatisfacción corporal: obsesión-compulsión (Zβ= 0.370) y depresión (Zβ= 0.320). Conclusión: los niveles adecuados de autoeficacia y satisfacción corporal predicen una alta capacidad de autocuidado

Body Image, Anxiety, and Bulimic Behavior during Confinement Due to COVID-19 in Mexico

Background: The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight, shape-related appearance behaviors (body image dissatisfaction), and bulimic symptoms in nonclinical participants is poorly evaluated. This study aimed to identify the relationship between labor status, confinement degree due to COVID-19, dissatisfaction with body image, and anxiety and to discover its effect on bulimic behavior in Mexican adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 276 participants via an online survey. Questions addressed their anxiety, body image dissatisfaction, and bulimic behavior. Results: The path analysis showed direct effects on the confinement degree (β = −0.157); of the labor situation (β = −0.147) and gender (β = 0.129) on anxiety; of dissatisfaction on bulimic behavior (β = 0.443) and anxiety about bulimic behavior (β = 0.184); and dissatisfaction (β = 0.085). Conclusions: The confinement, gender, and labor status are predictors of anxiety, while anxiety and body dissatisfaction directly influence bulimic behavior

Evaluación de toxicidad de nanogeles termosensibles en modelo in vivo

Este estudio utiliza C. elegans para evaluar la toxicidad de los nanogeles (NG) copoliméricos de N-isopropilacrilamida (NIPAAm) y metacrilato de 2-(dietilamino)etilo (DEAEM), preparados mediante polimerización en emulsión sin tensoactivo utilizando polietilenglicol monometil éter metacrilato (PEGMA) como estabilizador reactivo. Los nematodos ingirieron NG marcados con fluoresceína, como se demostró mediante microscopía de fluorescencia. Se utilizaron dos iniciadores diferentes, catiónicos y aniónicos para iniciar la síntesis de los NG. Los resultados demuestran que ambos tipos de NG afectan el tamaño y la reproductividad de los nematodos. C. elegans es un modelo pluricelular potencial para evaluar la toxicidad de los NG sensibles, evitando el uso de mamíferos para las evaluaciones

Drugs Loaded into Electrospun Polymeric Nanofibers for Delivery

International audienceThe electrospinning technique is a useful and versatile approach for conversion of polymeric solutions into continuous fibers, ranging from a few micrometers (10-100 μm) to the scale of nanometers (10-100 nm) in diameters. This technique can be used in a vast number of polymers, in some cases after modifying them to the required properties. The high surface-to-volume ratio of the fibers can improve some processes like cell binding and proliferation, drug loading, and mass transfer processes. One of the most important and studied areas of electrospinning is in the drug delivery field, for the controlled release of active substances ranging from antibiotics and anticancer agents, to macromolecules such as proteins and DNA. The advantage of this method is that a wide variety of low solubility drugs can be loaded into the fibers to improve their bioavailability or to attain controlled release. This review presents an overview of the reported drugs loaded into electrospun polymeric nanofibers to be used as drug delivery systems. These drugs are classified by their applications in pharmacy

Preparación de películas mucoadhesivas de complejos de polielectrólitos para la liberación de diacetato de clorhexidina

Polyelectrolyte complexe’s films can be a vehicle for the controlled release of drugs in the oral cavity, seeking the interaction of the film with the epithelium of the buccal mucosa. The bioadhesion phenomenon is the retention of the system at the desired site to achieve liberation. In the present work, a release system was developed using polyelectrolyte polymers of opposite charge that form films by ionic complexation. The films were loaded with chlorhexidine diacetate for the treatment of oral infections. The solvent evaporation method was used for the preparation of films, containing arabic gum and chitosan (1: 1) and Noveon AA-1® 2% (w/v), which was included for its mucoadhesive properties. The films were prepared with the same proportions of polymers but adding chlorhexidine diacetate dissolved in ethanol 2% (w/v), before the evaporation of the solvent for the formation of the films. Swelling studies shows that films swell in solutions that simulate oral pH conditions. The films loaded with the drug release in vitro more than 90% of the drug in 24 hours. Microbiological tests showed that films loaded with chlorhexidine diacetate inhibit the growth of E. coli and P. aeruginosa in standardized sensitivity tests. The films studied show suitable characteristics for the release of chlorhexidine diacetate, demonstrating the inhibition of the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, so they have potential to be used in the treatment of patients with oral infections such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. Las películas de complejos de polielectrólitos pueden ser un vehículo para liberación controlada de fármacos en la cavidad oral, buscando la interacción de la película con el epitelio de la mucosa bucal, dado que con el fenómeno de bioadhesión se logra la retención del sistema en el sitio deseado para la liberación. En el presente trabajo se desarrolló un sistema de liberación usando polímeros polielectrólitos de carga opuesta que forman películas por complejación iónica. Las películas fueron cargadas con diacetato de clorhexidina para el tratamiento de infecciones bucales. Se empleó el método evaporación de solvente para la preparación de las películas, conteniendo goma arábiga y quitosano (1:1) y Noveon AA-1® 2% (p/v), este último se incluyó por sus propiedades mucoadhesivas. Se prepararon películas con las mismas proporciones de polímeros, pero agregando diacetato de clorhexidina disuelto en etanol 2% w/v, previo a la evaporación del disolvente para la formación de las películas. Los estudios de hinchamiento muestran que las películas se hinchan en soluciones que simulan las condiciones de pH bucal. Las películas cargadas con el fármaco liberan in vitro, más del 90 % del fármaco en 24 horas. Las pruebas microbiológicas mostraron que las películas cargadas con diacetato de clorhexidina inhiben el crecimiento E. coli y P. aeruginosa, en las pruebas de sensibilidad estandarizadas. Las películas estudiadas muestran características adecuadas para la liberación de diacetato de clorhexidina, demostrando la inhibición del crecimiento de microrganismos patógenos por lo que tiene potencial para utilizarse en el tratamiento de pacientes con infecciones bucales tales como gingivitis y enfermedad periodontal

Películas mucoadhesivas de quitosano para la liberación sostenida de nistatina en la cavidad bucal

Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most prevalent fungal disease in the world. The formulations of the drug of choice for its treatment have a low residence time and bioavailability at the site of infection. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize mucoadhesive films of chitosan and polygalacturonic acid by the “Solvent-Casting” technique loaded with nystatin as a sustained release system for the oral cavity. The films obtained were characterized to determine their morphological characteristics, adhesion capacity, and degree of swelling and release profile of the drug. The morphology of the films was determined by scanning electron microscopy, the interaction between the polymers was determined by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry, additionally, its antimicrobial activity against two Candida species was tested. The obtained films showed mucoadhesion capacity and a sustained release of the drug explained by the Korsemeyer-Peppas model, also a significant antimicrobial activity was found. These findings suggest that chitosan-based films are a possible nystatin release system for the oral cavity.La candidiasis de orofaringe es la enfermedad micótica más prevalente a nivel mundial. Las formulaciones del fármaco de elección para su tratamiento cuentan con un tiempo de residencia y biodisponibilidad bajos en el sitio de la infección. El objetivo de este trabajo fue preparar y caracterizar films con capacidad mucoadhesiva de quitosano y ácido poligalacturónico por la técnica “evaporación del disolvente” conteniendo nistatina como un sistema de liberación sostenida en la cavidad bucal. Las películas obtenidas fueron caracterizadas para determinar sus características morfológicas, capacidad de adherencia, grado de hinchamiento y perfil de liberación del fármaco. La morfología de los films fue determinada por microscopía electrónica de barrido y la interacción entre los polímeros fue determinada por espectroscopía infrarroja, análisis termogravimétrico y calorimetría de escaneo diferencial, adicionalmente se determinó su actividad antimicrobiana contra dos especies de Candida. Las películas obtenidas mostraron capacidad de mucoadhesión y una liberación sostenida del fármaco explicada por el modelo de Korsemeyer-Peppas, también mostraron una actividad antimicrobiana significativa. Estos hallazgos sugieren que las películas con base en quitosano son un posible sistema de liberación de nistatina para la cavidad bucal

Hybrid Systems of Nanofibers and Polymeric Nanoparticles for Biological Application and Delivery Systems

Nanomedicine is a new discipline resulting from the combination of nanotechnology and biomedicine. Nanomedicine has contributed to the development of new and improved treatments, diagnoses, and therapies. In this field, nanoparticles have notable importance due to their unique properties and characteristics, which are useful in different applications, including tissue engineering, biomarkers, and drug delivery systems. Electrospinning is a versatile technique used to produce fibrous mats. The high surface area of the electrospun mats makes them suitable for applications in fields using nanoparticles. Electrospun mats are used for tissue engineering, wound dressing, water-treatment filters, biosensors, nanocomposites, medical implants, protective clothing materials, cosmetics, and drug delivery systems. The combination of nanoparticles with nanofibers creates hybrid systems that acquire properties that differ from their components’ characteristics. By utilizing nanoparticles and nanofibers composed of dissimilar polymers, the two synergize to improve the overall performance of electrospinning mats and nanoparticles. This review summarizes the hybrid systems of polymeric nanoparticles and polymeric nanofibers, critically analyzing how the combination improves the properties of the materials and contributes to the reduction of some disadvantages found in nanometric devices and systems