Supramolecular Structure and Stability of Nanofibrous Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract

A significant proportion of new drug candidates possesses poor solubility and/or membrane permeability. Several promising techniques have been developed to overcome these disadvantageous properties, including different fiber formation methods. The electrospinning and high-speed rotary spinning are the most commonly used spinning techniques for fiber formation. The fiber properties (high specific surface area, porosity, the possibility of controlling the crystalline-amorphous phase transitions of the loaded drugs) enhance the dissolution rate and apparent solubility of actives and thus their rate and extent of absorption. The hydrophilic polymer-based drug-loaded nanofibrous orally dissolving webs are promising candidates for rapid drug release, which is due to the advantageous morphological and physicalchemical features of the system. They are also capable of controlled drug delivery over time for local or systemic drug administration. The solubility of the polymer, the fiber diameter and the fiber structure are the primary parameters affecting drug release. In the case of small molecules, developments focus mostly on overcoming the unfavourable physicochemical feature of the active agents (1). However, the physical and chemical stability of these systems has not yet been thoroughly investigated and thus poses a challenge in their development. Since the stability of these systems is a crucial issue, its sensitive and non-destructive tracking could be of great practical relevance in the prediction of their applicability.