The use of polymer-based electrospun nanofibers containing amorphous drug dispersions for the delivery of poorly water-soluble pharmaceuticals.
Electrostatic spinning was applied to the preparation of drug-laden nanofiber for potential use in oral and topical drug delivery. While this technique is in its infancy with regard to pharmaceutical applications, a number of recent publications suggest that it may be of high value in the formulation of poorly water-soluble drugs by combining nanotechnology and solid solution/dispersion methodologies. The purpose of this article is to describe some of these recently published applications. For immediate release oral application, a water-soluble cellulose polymer was selected (i.e., hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, HPMC) while for topical application, a nonbiodegradable, water-insoluble polymer was investigated (i.e., a segmented polyurethane, SPU). Solutions of the polymer and the drugs in appropriate solvents could be spun across various potentials (16-24 kV) generating nanofibers with diameters ranging from 300 to 2000 nm. Dissolution studies found that the non-woven fabrics derived from HPMC and containing itraconazole dissolved over a time course of minutes to hours depending on the formulation used as well as the drug/polymer ratios. Drug release from the SPU samples was dependent on the incorporated drug as well as nanostructure obtained.
Brewster
M E
ME
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium. mbrewste@prdbe.jnj.com
Verreck
G
G
Chun
I
I
Rosenblatt
J
J
Mensch
J
J
Van Dijck
A
A
Noppe
M
M
Ariën
A
A
Bruining
M
M
Peeters
J
J
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D007785:Lactose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010078:Oxazines; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers; D012995:Solubility
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010078:Oxazines; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011108:Polymers; D017964:Itraconazole; D008747:Methylcellulose; C071191:MK 458; D007785:Lactose