Aliphatic Polyester Nanofibers Functionalized with Cyclodextrins and Cyclodextrin-Guest Inclusion Complexes

Abstract

The fabrication of nanofibers by electrospinning has gained popularity in the past two decades; however, only in this decade, have polymeric nanofibers been functionalized using cyclodextrins (CDs) or their inclusion complexes (ICs). By combining electrospinning of polymers with free CDs, nanofibers can be fabricated that are capable of capturing small molecules, such as wound odors or environmental toxins in water and air. Likewise, combining polymers with cyclodextrin-inclusion complexes (CD-ICs), has shown promise in enhancing or controlling the delivery of small molecule guests, by minor tweaking in the technique utilized in fabricating these nanofibers, for example, by forming core–shell or multilayered structures and conventional electrospinning, for controlled and rapid delivery, respectively. In addition to small molecule delivery, the thermomechanical properties of the polymers can be significantly improved, as our group has shown recently, by adding non-stoichiometric inclusion complexes to the polymeric nanofibers. We recently reported and thoroughly characterized the fabrication of polypseudorotaxane (PpR) nanofibers without a polymeric carrier. These PpR nanofibers show unusual rheological and thermomechanical properties, even when the coverage of those polymer chains is relatively sparse (~3%). A key advantage of these PpR nanofibers is the presence of relatively stable hydroxyl groups on the outer surface of the nanofibers, which can subsequently be taken advantage of for bioconjugation, making them suitable for biomedical applications. Although the number of studies in this area is limited, initial results suggest significant potential for bone tissue engineering, and with additional bioconjugation in other areas of tissue engineering. In addition, the behaviors and uses of aliphatic polyester nanofibers functionalized with CDs and CD-ICs are briefly described and summarized. Based on these observations, we attempt to draw conclusions for each of these combinations, and the relationships that exist between their presence and the functional behaviors of their nanofibers.

Nanostructured and Photochromic Material for Environmental Detection of Metal Ions

“…This wettability is associated with the presence of PEGSP2 in the polymer matrix. However, comparing this result with that obtained for pure PCL nanofibers (Figure S10), CA measurements of water on the surface of pure PCL nanofibers was 131 ± 10 °C; similar CA results were described in the literature [33,34]. Despite the poor solubility of PEGSP2 in water, its presence in the polymeric blend with PCL confers high wettability to the surface.…”

Biocompatible Polymers Combined with Cyclodextrins: Fascinating Materials for Drug Delivery Applications

“…The alternative way of bioactive sites addition is the preparation of non-covalent ICs of PCL with CDs (α, β, or γ-CD) [60]. Recently, PCL/CD-based systems in the form of micro- [61,62] and nanoparticles [63], micelles [64][65][66], nanofibres [67,68] or hydrogels [64,69,70] are promising drug delivery carriers due to their unique properties in terms of drug release and/or stimuli-responsiveness [64] as shown in Table 2. Therefore, in this part of the review, the application of polymeric drug delivery systems based on the combination of PCL or its copolymers and CD, are described.…”

“…The unique advantages of materials obtained by combining electrospinning of aliphatic polyesters and enriching them in CDs have been discovered in the last decade [67]. For example, the nanofibers capable of capturing small molecules, such as environmental toxins in water and air, as well as hydrophilic drugs, can be obtained by this approach.…”

Electrospun Bioresorbable Membrane Eluting Chlorhexidine for Dental Implants

“…Furthermore, it was reported that this complex exhibits an inhibitory effect on dental bacteria [24,25] and can be released from a PLGA matrix [21]. Moreover, CD can be electrospun with aliphatic polyester [26,27].…”