Single and coaxial electrospun nanofibers for the pH-responsive release of nitrofurazone

MEUTER, MAXIMILIAN; RIVERO GUADALUPE; ABRAHAM, GUSTAVO A.; BOCACCINI, ALDO

Mar del Plata

Simposio; XVI Simposio Latinoamericano de Polímeros; 2018

INTEMA

The ability of a material to respond to an external stimulus has been exploited for the development of smart devices. A self-regulating response of materials provides a substantial advantage for the integral treatment of certain diseases (e.g. diabetic feet), where the use of antibiotics is not advised unless infection takes place. Well known pH changes are associated to the existence and evolution of wounds during the different healing stages1. The pH changes in the wound may act as a trigger for a therapeutic treatment in an autonomous way. This work aims the design of a pH-sensitive wound dressing by electrospinning of pH-responsive polymers using single and coaxial nozzles. This specific pH response allows the selective release of an incorporated active agent only when there is a change in the environmental acidity. The use of biocompatible polymers capable of dissolving at a certain pH (e.g. Eudragit type) may modulate the release of the incorporated therapeutic drug according to the physiological conditions of the wound. Detailed studies on the fibrous membrane architecture are explored in this work to fine tune the release of nitrofurazone while preserving the structural integrity of the mat.