Electrospun Upconversion Composite Fibers as Dual Drugs Delivery System with Individual Release Properties

Abstract

Novel multifunctional poly(ε-caprolactone)-gelatin encapsulating upconversion core/shell silica nanoparticles (NPs) composite fibers as dual drugs delivery system (DDDS), with indomethacin (IMC) and doxorubicin (DOX) releasing in individual release properties, have been designed and fabricated via electrospinning process. Uniform and monodisperse upconversion (UC) luminescent NaYF4:Yb(3+), Er(3+) nanocrystals (UCNCs) were encapsulated with mesoporous silica shells, resulting in the formation of core/shell structured NaYF4:Yb(3+), Er(3+)@mSiO2 (UCNCs@mSiO2) NPs, which can be performed as DOX delivery carriers. These UCNCs@mSiO2 NPs loading DOX then were dispersed into the mixture of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and gelatin-based electrospinning solution containing IMC, followed by the preparation of dual drug-loaded composite fibers (DDDS) via electrospinning method. The drugs release profiles of the DDDS were measured, and the results indicated that the IMC and DOX released from the electrospun composite fibers showed distinct properties. The IMC in the composite fibers presented a fast release manner, while DOX showed a sustained release behavior. Moreover, the UC luminescent intensity ratios of (2)H(11/2)/(4)S(3/2)-(4)I(15/2) to (4)F(9/2)-(4)I(15/2) from Er(3+) vary with the amounts of DOX in the system, and thus drug release can be tracked and monitored by the luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) mechanism.

Multifunctional electrospinning composite fibers for orthotopic cancer treatment in vivo

“…At a mass ratio of 1:1, gelatin and PCL were mixed isometrically, and the mixture was stirred continuously for 30 min to obtain a homogeneous precursor sol for further electrospinning. Parameters of the spinning equipment were adjusted as previously described [11,12]. The distance between the spinneret (metallic needle) and collector (grounded conductor) was fixed at 10 cm, and a high-voltage supply was maintained at 10 kV.…”

“…Another cutting-edge technology that has recently attracted attention in the field of drug delivery is electrospinning to produce continuous polymer fibers [9,10]. Extremely high surface area and excellent pore interconnectivity make electrospun polymeric fibers particularly attractive drug carriers that can be engineered for controlled drug delivery [11][12][13][14][15][16]. More importantly, electrospun fibers can be exploited as implant material for site-specific drug delivery as well as treatment of wounds or surgery-related injury.…”

Upconversion Nanoparticle-Based Nanocomposites

“…Moreover, by fastidiously controlling experimental conditions, UCNPs@SiO 2 tubes were successfully fabricated [77]. Most recently, they adopted a novel and ingenious architecture design to obtain a multi-functional dual drug delivery system via the electrospinning technique by combining the advantages of inorganic materials (UCNPs@mSiO 2 ) and organic materials (polymer) [76]. The working principle of their strategy is shown as follows.…”

Fluorescence Behaviour and Singlet Oxygen Production of Aluminium Phthalocyanine in the Presence of Upconversion Nanoparticles

“…Encapsulation of the UCNPs with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-phospholipid was found to be effective in retaining both upconversion luminescence intensity and dispersibility in aqueous environment [21]. NaYF 4 :Yb/Er nanocrystals have been electrospun in SiO 2 composite fibres, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and PCL-gelatin composite fibres for an array of applications, displaying characteristics such as emission enhancement and improved drug delivery [22][23][24], hence electrospun fibers are employed in this work in order to achieve stable fluorescence and improved upconversion efficiency. The UCNPs at different capping stages are mixed with a polystyrene polymer solution and spun into nanofibers.…”