Pharmaceutical Sciences II. (Poster discussion will take place in the Aula during the Coffee Break)
Introduction: Nanofiber-based formulations are produced mainly by electrospinning process possess unique properties that make them a suitable candidate for delivery of various drugs and pharmaceuticals along with biomedical applications such as tissue reconstitution. Appropriate polymer composition and concentration play a vital role in the final properties of the produced nanofibers and final dosage forms.
Aims: Evaluation of the effect of different molecular weights and concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on the morphology of nanofibers as well evaluation of the effect of addition of poloxamer 407 to the formulation as an attempt to find a good polymer compositions as a potential candidates for nanofibers-based ophthalmic inserts.
Methods: Samples of different concentrations of PVA, PVA/poloxamer 407 solutions were prepared by electrospinning using different process parameters. The resulted samples were evaluated for their morphological characteristics by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM analysis) as well as physicochemical and compatibility using Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR analysis).
Results: For morphological characterization, all formulations of native PVA and PVA/poloxamer407 mixtures resulted in smooth nanofibers precipitation with approximately uniform fiber diameter; the average fibers diameter ranged from 217nm ± 43nm to 337nm ± 47nm for native PVA, while the PVA/poloxamer407 mixtures have nanofibers of 207nm ± 57 to 241nm ± 32nm diameters range. Irrespective of the molecular weight or whether it is physical powder or nanofibrous form, FTIR spectra of all PVA molecular weights and PVA/poloxamer 407 mixtures showed the most important peaks characteristic for PVA and Poloxamer407.
Conclusion:
Smooth nanofibers precipitation can be successfully obtained from 15 – 20% w/w of low molecular weight PVA, 13 – 15% w/w of intermediate molecular weight and 5 – 10% w/w of high molecular weight PVA. Poloxamer-407 appeared to have slight effects on the morphology of nanofibers, although it slightly decreased the nanofibers diameters. The FTIR spectra showed that all major peaks of both polymers were found to be intact and no characteristic changes were observed in major peaks indicating compatibility and no interactions between the selected polymers.
Funding:
Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship.