Electrospun structural nanohybrids combining three composites for fast helicide delivery

The effective and convenient delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs often needs a combined effort of several disciplines. In this study, a brand-new structural hybrid, tri-section Janus nanofiber (TJN), was successfully prepared using a tri-fluid electrospinning and was demonstrated to be useful for delivering helicide, a poorly water-soluble Chinese herbal medicine. The TJNs were composed of three sorts of polymer-based nanocomposites: helicide-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-PVP, and sucralose-PVP. The electrospinning processes, characterized by a new homemade spinneret, were investigated to disclose the TJNs' micro-formation mechanism. SEM and TEM results verified that the TJNs presented in the linear morphologies and the three sections within the nanofibers could be discerned clearly. XRD and ATR-FTIR showed that the functional ingredients, helicide, SDS, and sucralose, presented in their own sections in an amorphous state due to the favorable secondary interactions with the PVP matrices. Three methods were carried out to study the functional performances of TJNs. The results showed that not only the helicide was able to dissolve all at once, but also the loaded SDS and sucralose were able to be released before helicide for a sequential release effect and thus for a potential convenient and effective drug delivery to the patients through tongue mucosas. The TJN can be a useful platform for supporting the developments of advanced functional nanomaterials and multiple-functional biomaterials.

Automated summary

A new tri-section Janus nanofiber (TJN) was successfully prepared and demonstrated to be useful for delivering poorly water-soluble Chinese herbal medicine. The TJN, composed of three polymer-based nanocomposites, showed the potential for convenient and effective drug delivery through sequential release via tongue mucosas.