Electrospun PCL/PVP Nanofibers Meshes, A Novel Bisabolol Delivery System for Antidermatophytic Treatment

Abstract

The emergence of antifungal resistance and suboptimal drug delivery systems presents a significant challenge in treating dermatophytosis, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. Here, we report the development of an advanced drug delivery platform utilizing electrospun nanofibers incorporating bisabolol, demonstrating superior antifungal efficacy and controlled release properties. Through systematic optimization of polymer compositions, we engineered nanofiber networks using precise combinations of polycaprolactone (PCL), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and gelatin, incorporating bisabolol at a carefully calibrated 5% w/w drug-to-polymer ratio. Comprehensive morphological characterization via scanning electron microscopy revealed that bisabolol incorporation significantly enhanced fiber uniformity and reduced diameter distributions, with the optimized PCL100/PVP80 formulation exhibiting exceptional structural integrity. This formulation demonstrated remarkable antifungal activity, producing substantial inhibition zones against clinically relevant dermatophytes: Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2.05–2.6 cm, p < 0.001), Trichophyton tonsurans (2.5 cm, p < 0.001), and Alternaria alternata (1.04 cm, p < 0.01). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed sustained drug release kinetics over 48 h, maintaining therapeutic concentrations throughout the treatment period. Cytotoxicity evaluation through MTT assays revealed outstanding biocompatibility, with the PCL100/PVP80-bisabolol formulation maintaining 81.92 ± 4.33% fibroblast viability, significantly superior to conventional formulations (p < 0.001). This study presents a paradigm shift in topical antifungal therapy, offering a precisely engineered, biocompatible platform that addresses current therapeutic limitations. The developed system’s demonstrated efficacy, controlled release properties, and excellent safety profile position it as a promising candidate for clinical translation in treating chronic dermatophytosis, particularly in cases resistant to conventional treatments.

Graphical Abstract