title: PCL/PEG core/sheath fibers with controlled drug release rate fabricated on the basis of a novel combined technique.
abstract: A novel core/sheath fiber preparation method, which included the processes of blend electrospinning to produce the core fiber and UV-induced graft polymerization to fabricate the outer polymeric shell, was presented to provide designated fibers with different shell thicknesses. A hydrophilic drug, salicylic acid (SA), was loaded in the representative poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) core/sheath fibers, performed according to this combined technique. FTIR analysis indicated that the existence of hydrogen bonds between SA and the PCL matrix improved drug compatibility. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images indicated that the morphology and the diameter distribution of fibers changed significantly after the graft polymerization procedure. All the core/sheath fibers became more flexible and thicker compared with the core fiber. The water contact angle (WCA) test also noted the differences of these two fibers: PCL/PEG core/sheath fibers with cross-linked PEG surface exhibited more hydrophilic property. Moreover, in vitro SA release tests were conducted to explore the relationship between the PEG shell thickness and the drug release rate. A typical biphasic release mechanism was observed for the PCL/PEG core/sheath fibers, and their sustained release rates were controlled by the PEG shell thickness in a linear correlation.
authors.affiliation: The Engineering Technology Research Center for Functional Textiles in Higher Education of Guangdong Province, College of Textiles and Clothing, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong 529020, China. Electronic address: yuhuihui_2000@163.com.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: The Engineering Technology Research Center for Functional Textiles in Higher Education of Guangdong Province, College of Textiles and Clothing, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong 529020, China. Electronic address: yongtjh@163.com.
authors.forename: Yongtang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: The Engineering Technology Research Center for Functional Textiles in Higher Education of Guangdong Province, College of Textiles and Clothing, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong 529020, China.
authors.forename: Chaoming
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: The Engineering Technology Research Center for Functional Textiles in Higher Education of Guangdong Province, College of Textiles and Clothing, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong 529020, China.
authors.forename: Yanxia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007700:Kinetics; D016014:Linear Models; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D058105:Polymerization; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013499:Surface Properties; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011091:Polyesters; D014867:Water; C016240:polycaprolactone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D020156:Salicylic Acid
keywords: Core/sheath fibers; Electrospinning; Poly(ϵ-caprolactone); Sustained drug release; UV-induced graft polymerization