title: Preparation and characterization of aligned porous PCL/zein scaffolds as drug delivery systems via improved unidirectional freeze-drying method.
abstract: A novel type of drug-delivery scaffold based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and zein blends was prepared by improved unidirectional freeze-drying. Scaffolds with tube-like pore structure and high porosity, up to 89%, were obtained by adjusting the concentration of the PCL and zein solutions. Characters of the prepared scaffolds, such as microstructural, porosity, and compressive strength, were evaluated. The hydrophilicity and the degradability of the composite films were investigated in contact with phosphate buffer saline (PBS). It was found that the presence of zein accelerates the degradation rate of the scaffolds in the period time of investigation (28days). The results showed an acceptable way for controlling the in vitro degradation behavior of PCL composite scaffolds by adapting the concentration of zein. In vitro protein release and degradation results revealed that the absolute weight loss of the PCL/zein scaffolds exhibited an increasing trend by increasing the amount of zein concentration in the scaffolds. The drug delivery capability of the scaffolds was tested using tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). Sustained release of the drug was obtained, and it was found that the proportion of zein in the scaffold had a great impact on the drug release kinetics. The results demonstrated the potential of the PCL/zein biocomposite scaffolds as a suitable candidate in tissue engineering strategies for bone defect treatment.
authors: Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstrasse 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Institute of Science, High Technology, and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, 76315117 Kerman, Iran; Biomaterials Research Group, Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 8415683111, Iran. Electronic address: z.fereshteh89@gmail.com.
authors: Zeinab
authors: Z
authors: Fereshteh
authors: Biomaterials Research Group, Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 8415683111, Iran; Dental Materials Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Mohammadhossein
authors: M
authors: Fathi
authors: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Civil, Mechanical and Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
authors: Akbar
authors: A
authors: Bagri
authors: Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstrasse 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
authors: Aldo R
authors: AR
authors: Boccaccini
mesh_terms: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005612:Freeze Drying; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015028:Zein / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D015028:Zein; D013752:Tetracycline
keywords: Aligned PCL/zein scaffolds; Controlled release; Drug delivery; Freeze-drying; Protein release