Abstract
Cephalexin loaded electrospun nanofibers with core-shell structures were prepared from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blended with various biopolymers such as chitosan (CH), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), carboxymethyl starch (CMS), and hydroxyproyl cellulose (HPC) in PVA:biopolymer ratio of 90:10. The electrospun nanofiber mats were cross-linked by heat treatment to avoid disintegration in water. Molecular interactions between the polymeric chains and the drug were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The morphology of nanofiber mats was studied by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and the core-shell structure formation through emulsion electrospinning was confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The in vitro drug release profile was studied and the mechanism was determined through kinetic models using non-linear regression methods. Drug release was gradual within the first 8 h. Furthermore, release predominantly occurred by a diffusion mechanism which makes this system suitable for wound healing treatment.