Electrospun nanofibers for drug delivery applications: Methods and mechanism

Electrospinning procedures such as blend electrospinning, coaxial electrospinning, and emulsion electrospinning have been used for the fabrication of electrospun nanofibers (ENFs) for biomedical applications. These ENFs are attracted great interest especially in drug delivery applications due to their small size, high surface area-to-volume, and porosity. The aim of this review is to focus on the controlled release mechanism among the different electrospinning methods, and the selectivity of hydrophilic, water-soluble polymers as a carrier for drug. The mechanism for the drug delivery depends mainly on the method of drug loading, polymeric interactions, and the nature of polymer swelling, erosion, or degradation. This review compressed on the literature survey about the fabrication of nanofibers by different electrospinning methods, factors affecting the nanofiber morphologies, selectivity of polymeric blends for successful controlled release behavior, and the mechanism involved in the drug release steps.     

Electrospinning nanofibers of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates for applications in medical tissue engineering

Differently to most chemically synthesized medical materials, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are intracellular carbon and energy storage granules, which is a family of natural bio-polymers synthesized by microorganism's materials. Due to excellent biocompatibility reasonable biodegradability and versatile material difference, PHAs are well medical biomaterials candidates for applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery, including commercial PHB, PHBV, PHBHHx, PHBVHHx, P34HB and few uncommercial PHAs. Electrospinning nanofibers with the size of 10–10,000 nm can improve the mechanical properties and decrease the crystallinity of PHA, meanwhile simulate the structure and function of native extracellular matrix of cells. Hence, PHAs electrospinning nanofibers as engineered scaffolds have been widely used for tissue engineering scaffolds in cardiovascular, vascular, nerve, bone, cartilage and skin; also, as carriers for application in drug delivery system. In this review, we highlight the extraction and properties of medical PHAs from natural or engineered microorganism, and microstructure, current manufacturing techniques and medical applications of electrospinning nanofibers of PHAs. Moreover, the current challenges and prospects of PHAs electrospinning nanofibers are discussed rationally, providing an insight into developing vibrant fields of PHAs electrospinning nanofibers-based biomedicine.     

A review on electrospun polymeric nanofibers: Production parameters and potential applications

This review deals with electrospun nanofibers and their applications in several fields. Nanofibers have mainly been produced via electrospinning technique due to the simple, cost-effective, and versatile setup. Electrospinning is defined as a process, which produces fibers from its polymer solutions under exposure of high electric field voltage. The technique needs optimization of several parameters such solution, processing and ambient parameters to refine nanofiber morphology, diameter and porosity. The basic technique has been modified to produce composite fibers and to increase production capacity. Nanofiber characterization methods are summarized with examples. The relation between electrospinning and electrospraying is discussed. Nanofibers have the ability to form highly porous mesh with large surface to volume ratio enhancing its performance for various applications such as water filtration, tissue engineering scaffold, wounds, fiber composites, drug release and protective clothes. Single nanofibers could potentially be used as soft microrobots for drug delivery. Finally, results from modeling and simulations are illustrated.     

Processing and Properties of Nanofibrous Bacterial Cellulose-Containing Polymer Composites: A Review of Recent Advances for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an extracellular natural polymer produced by many microorganisms and its properties could be tailored via specific fabrication methods and culture conditions. There is a growing interest in BC derived materials due to the main features of BC such as porous fibrous structure, high crystallinity, impressive physico-mechanical properties, and high water content. However, pristine BC lacks some features, limiting its practical use in varied applications. Thus, fabrication of BC composites has been attempted to overcome these constraints. This review article overviews most recent advance in the development of BC composites and their potential in biomedicine including wound dressing, tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug delivery. Special emphasis is placed on the fabrication and applications of BC-containing nanofibrous composites for biomedical usage. It summarizes electrospinning of BC-based nanofibers and their surface modification with an outline on challenges and future perspective.     

Applications of polymer nanofibers in biomedicine and biotechnology

Recent advancements in the electrospinning method enable the production of ultrafine solid and continuous fibers with diameters ranging from a few nanometers to a few hundred nanometers with controlled surface and internal molecular structures. A wide range of biodegradable biopolymers can be electrospun into mats with specific fiber arrangement and structural integrity. Through secondary processing, the nanofiber surface can be functionalized to display specific biochemical characteristics. It is hypothesized that the large surface area of nanofibers with specific surface chemistry facilitates attachment of cells and control of their cellular functions. These features of nanofiber mats are morphologically and chemically similar to the extracellular matrix of natural tissue, which is characterized by a wide range of pore diameter distribution, high porosity, effective mechanical properties, and specific biochemical properties. The current emphasis of research is on exploiting such properties and focusing on determining appropriate conditions for electrospinning various polymers and biopolymers for eventual applications including multifunctional membranes, biomedical structural elements (scaffolds used in tissue engineering, wound dressing, drug delivery, artificial organs, vascular grafts), protective shields in specialty fabrics, and filter media for submicron particles in the separation industry. This has resulted in the recent applications for polymer nanofibers in the field of biomedicine and biotechnology.     

壳聚糖静电纺纳米纤维的制备和特点

对纯壳聚糖、壳聚糖和聚合物的混合物、壳聚糖和蛋白质的混合物、壳聚糖衍生物、壳聚糖和无机纳米颗粒的混合物等静电纺纳米纤维的制备和特点进行了综述,对部分壳聚糖纳米纤维的应用进行了简述。     

Recent progress in MXenes incorporated into electrospun nanofibers for biomedical application: Study focusing from 2017 to 2022

After discovering a new class of two-dimensional (2D) material, i.e., MXene, a further new scope, came into existence for researchers. Due to their remarkable physical, chemical, and biological properties, MXenes find their role in almost every research discipline. They have been used in biosensors, bioimaging, tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, and other areas. The MXenes can be functionalized with a wide range of atoms/molecules, making them diverse materials. Therefore, the potential of using MXenes in nanofibers can be much more than expected. In this review, we will understand the structure, synthesis, and general properties of MXenes. We will explain using MXenes while encasing them into nanofibers, providing their specific properties. For instance, MXenes-incorporated nanofibers are used in biomedical applications, including soft and hard-tissue engineering and delivery of antimicrobials. Furthermore, MXenes, when incorporated into nanofibers, are used in promoting cellular differentiation, wound healing, and neural tissue restoration, which are briefly discussed in this communication.     

Recent progress in electrospun nanofibers: Reinforcement effect and mechanical performance

Composite materials are becoming increasingly important as structural materials for aeronautical and space engineering, naval, automotive, and civil engineering, sporting goods, and other consumer products. Fiber‐based reinforcement represents one of the most effective manufacturing strategies for enhancing the mechanical strength and other properties of composite materials. Electrospinning has gained widespread interest in the last two decades because of its ability to fabricate continuous ultrafine nanofibers with unique characteristics. The impact of electrospinning on fiber synthesis and processing, characterization, and applications in drug delivery, nanofiltration, tissue scaffolding, and electronics has been extensively studied in the past. In this article, the authors have focused on a comprehensive review of the mechanical performance and properties of electrospun nanofibers as potential reinforcements as well as their advanced nanocomposites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 1171–1212     

Resorbable polymer electrospun nanofibers: History,shapes and application for tissue engineering

Resorbable polymer electrospun nanofiber-based materials/devices have high surface-to-volume ratio and often have a porous structure with excellent pore interconnectivity,which are suitable for growth and development of different types of cells.Due to the huge advantages of both resorbable polymers and electrospun nano fibers,re sorbable polymer electrospun nanofibers(RPENs)have been widely applied in the field of tissue engineering.In this paper,we will mainly introduce RPENs for tissue engineering.Firstly,the electrospinning technique and electrospun nanofiber architectures are briefly introduced.Secondly,the application of RPENs in the field of tissue engineering is mainly reviewed.Finally,the advantages and disadvantages of RPENs for tissue engineering are discussed.This review will provide a comprehensive guide to apply resorbable polymer electrospun nanofibers for tissue engineering.     

Flexible generation of gradient electrospinning nanofibers using a microfluidic assisted approach

The nanofiber surface modified with physical or chemical gradients is very useful in a wide range of areas including tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, drug screening, and biomaterial chemistry. In this work, we presented a novel and straightforward microfluidic assisted approach to produce electrospinning nanofibers containing gradients in different compositions, nanoparticles and biomolecule concentrations. The series of gradient nanofibers were mainly produced by using a two inlet microfluidic device in combination with an electrospinning nozzle on a 3-D controllable platform, which exhibited different functions and properties. The controlled nanofibers with incorporated biomolecule gradient were used for guiding the spatial differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This established approach is very simple, and flexible to operate, which might find enormous potential for biology and tissue engineering applications.     

Nanofibers for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications

Unique features of nanofibers provide enormous potential in the field of biomedical and healthcare applications. Many studies have proven the extreme potential of nanofibers in front of current challenges in the medical and healthcare field. This review highlights the nanofiber technologies, unique properties, fabrication techniques (i.e., physical, chemical, and biological methods), and emerging applications in biomedical and healthcare fields. It summarizes the recent researches on nanofibers for drug delivery systems and controlled drug release, tissue‐engineered scaffolds, dressings for wound healing, biosensors, biomedical devices, medical implants, skin care, as well as air, water, and blood purification systems. Attention is given to different types of fibers (e.g., mesoporous, hollow, core‐shell nanofibers) fabricated from various materials and their potential biomedical applications.     

Physico-Chemical Properties of Laponite®/Polyethylene-oxide Based Composites

This review aims to provide a literature overview as well as the authors’ personal account to the studies of Laponite® (Lap)/Polyethylene-oxide (PEO) based composite materials and their applications. These composites can be prepared over a wide range of their mutual concentrations, they are highly water soluble, and have many useful physico-chemical properties. To the readers’ convenience, the contents are subdivided into different sections, related with consideration of PEO properties and its solubility in water, behavior of Lap systems(structure of Lap-platelets, properties of aqueous dispersions of Lap and aging effects in them), analyzing ofproperties LAP/PEO systems, Lap platelets-PEO interactions, adsorption mechanisms, aging effects, aggregation and electrokinetic properties. The different applications of Lap/PEO composites are reviewed. These applications include Lap/PEO based electrolytes for lithium polymer batteries, electrospun nanofibers, environmental, biomedical and biotechnology engineering. Both Lap and PEO are highly biocompatible with living systems and they are non-toxic, non-yellowing, and non-inflammable. Medical applications of Lap/PEO composites in bio-sensing, tissue engineering, drug delivery, cell proliferation, and wound dressings are also discussed.     

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels based on polysaccharides incorporated with thermo-responsive polymers as novel biomaterials

In recent years, intelligent hydrogels which can change their swelling behavior and other properties in response to environmental stimuli such as temperature, pH, solvent composition and electric fields, have attracted great interest. The hydrogels based on polysaccharides incorporated with thermo-responsive polymers have shown unique properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and biological functions in addition to the stimuli-responsive characters. These "smart" hydrogels exhibit single or multiple stimuli-responsive characters which could be used in biomedical applications, including controlled drug delivery, bioengineering or tissue engineering. This review focuses on the recent developments and future trends dealing with stimuli-responsive hydrogels based on grafting/blending of polysaccharides such as chitosan, alginate, cellulose, dextran and their derivatives with thermo-sensitive polymers. This review also screens the current applications of these hydrogels in the fields of drug delivery, tissue engineering and wound healing.     

Fabrication of nanocomposite PAN nanofibers containing MgO and Al2O3 nanoparticles

This paper describes the effect of embedding MgO and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles on the diameter of electrospun composite polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers. Diameter of nanofibers determines the important properties of the nanofibrous mats used in a variety of developed applications such as tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery, catalysis, ultra filtration, sensors, and nanoelectronics. The results showed that the type and amount of nanoparticles dispersed in PAN solutions affect the conductivity as well as the viscosity of the electrospinning solutions. Increasing the amount of MgO and Al₂O₃ leads to higher conductivity and higher viscosity of the electrospinning solution and ultimately to a smaller nanofiber diameter. Moreover, the results showed that higher conductivity of the electrospinning solution overcomes the effect of higher viscosity. Finally, no interaction was detected between metal oxide nanoparticles and PAN macromolecules.     

生物可降解及生物材料的电场纺丝及应用

电场纺丝是制备生物可降解及生物材料纳米纤维非织造布的简单工艺,由于纳米纤维具有较大的比表面积,具有多孔结构,使其在生物医学领域,如：组织工程、药物缓释及医用纱布等领域有潜在的应用前景。本文综述了生物降解材料及生物材料的电场纺丝及其应用。     

Chitosan-based membranes preparation and applications: Challenges and opportunities

Chitosan is an abundant natural biopolymer which finds a variety of applications due to its functionalization extending to pharmacology, controlled drug delivery, healing materials, biomedical engineering, food industry, agriculture, catalysis, biosorbents, wastewater treatment, etc. Chitosan can be transformed to distinct derivatives and composites and be modified and grafted for specific use. Many products like flakes, fine powders, beads, membranes, sponges, fibers, and gels can be formed from chitosan. Degradable membranes made of chitosan in conjunction with other materials have increased their scope and include adsorptive membranes for heavy metal and dyes, biomedical applications of chitosan electrospun nanofibers, metal complexation, polymer and modified chitosan-based nanocomposites, cellulose and chitosan composites in wastewater treatment, fuel cells and catalysis. The review has focused on a number of issues related to the said areas. Application of these composite membranes with real industrial effluents should be done with reference to the commercial adsorbents and then their application for removal of aromatics, oils, surfactants, etc. will become practical. The review covers existing gaps and gives future scope for research and innovation.     

生物可降解医用聚氨酯及其应用

生物可降解医用聚氨酯由于其优良的生物相容性、降解性、功能化修饰和力学性能可调控等优点,逐渐引起研究者的关注,尤其在药物传递和组织工程支架等方面可望具有广阔的应用前景。结合本课题组开展的工作,本文综述了生物可降解医用聚氨酯材料在结构、功能化设计及医学应用上的研究进展,并展望了其在医学材料中的发展前景。     

Silk Fibroin Combined with Electrospinning as a Promising Strategy for Tissue Regeneration

The development of tissue engineering scaffolds is of great significance for the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues and organs. Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural protein polymer with good biocompatibility, biodegradability, excellent physical and mechanical properties and processability, making it an ideal universal tissue engineering scaffold material. Nanofibers prepared by electrospinning have attracted extensive attention in the field of tissue engineering due to their excellent mechanical properties, high specific surface area, and similar morphology as to extracellular matrix (ECM). The combination of silk fibroin and electrospinning is a promising strategy for the preparation of tissue engineering scaffolds. In this review, the research progress of electrospun silk fibroin nanofibers in the regeneration of skin, vascular, bone, neural, tendons, cardiac, periodontal, ocular and other tissues is discussed in detail.     

Bioactive Applications for Electrospun Fibers

Electrospinning is a versatile technique providing highly tunable nanofibrous nonwovens. Many biomedical applications have been developed for nanofibers, among which the production of antimicrobial mats stands out. The production of scaffolds for tissue engineering, fibers for controlled drug release, or active wound dressings are active fields of research exploiting the possibilities offered by electrospun materials. The fabrication of materials for active food packaging or membranes for environmental applications is also reviewed. We attempted to give an overview of the most recent literature related with applications in which nanofibers get in contact with living cells and develop a nano-bio interface.     

Putting Electrospun Nanofibers to Work for Biomedical Research

Electrospinning has been exploited for almost one century to process polymers and related materials into nanofibers with controllable compositions, diameters, porosities, and porous structures for a variety of applications. Owing to its high porosity and large surface area, a non‐woven mat of electrospun nanofibers can serve as an ideal scaffold to mimic the extracellular matrix for cell attachment and nutrient transportation. The nanofiber itself can also be functionalized through encapsulation or attachment of bioactive species such as extracellular matrix proteins, enzymes, and growth factors. In addition, the nanofibers can be further assembled into a variety of arrays or architectures by manipulating their alignment, stacking, or folding. All these attributes make electrospinning a powerful tool for generating nanostructured materials for a range of biomedical applications that include controlled release, drug delivery, and tissue engineering.